I am fortunate to work for almost 10 years in the environment sector, particularly in solid waste management, wastewater and water treatment both in business and academe.This is the reason why I have a better understanding of the sector which brings more challenges to my profession as a civil engineer, environmental/urban planner.
Working with both the public and private institutions in the Philippines provided me a very strong exposure to recognise the importance of government policy, rules and regulations in terms of protecting our environment. Dealing with these organisations allows me to comprehend the full impact of these laws and how the business sector in particular responds to be enviromentally-friendly entity - ensuring that whatever discharge or waste produced from their business activities are treated properly prior to disposal.
With the pressing issues in proper disposal of municipal waste, including hospital wastes and industrial wastes (toxic and hazardous), the Philippine government decided to pass Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act of 1999 which creates more challenging responsibilities for the businesses and industries. Why? because the Act does not allow burning or incineration of all wastes!
Passing this Act brings the Philippines' status as the first nation to ban incineration and put the country into scrutiny worldwide. Due to lobbying from various groups, the ban was lifted by the Supreme Court's ruling passed in 2002 - allowing the utilisation of 'thermal technologies' to be used with certain provision in terms of air quality standards.
Why incineration needs to be banned considering that it reduces a large volume of wastes before it will be finally disposed to landfill or dumpsites? Environmentalist groups claimed that the burning produces toxic substances like dioxins which are harmful to human beings. But other pro-groups claimed that even ordinary burning in farms and backyards produce this substance over the years, so why we have to be bothered about it.
Frankly, incineration is the easiest and cheaper method to reduce our domestic and industrial wastes before they reach the landfill site. It is only harmful if the incinerators are not properly maintained and do not have the proper monitoring system to check the fumes coming from their stacks meet the air quality standards.
If this technology finally banned in the future, then what will be the alternative solution in treating our wastes? Any suggestion? And then why? Are they effective?
2 comments:
Haha, this is completely irrelevant when it comes to household waste in the Philippines. I live her, but grew up in Europe, and I can by first hand experience report that people in general have no respect for the environment, garbage is thrown on the streets, in ditches, in rivers, etc. without any afterthought. I think it's lack of education on the subject, and too fast development from hand-to-mouth farming to industrialization that has caused this, so I am not attacking the Filipino people. But the fact still remains that 95% of people will not think twice about throwing any waste, be it normal household waste, plastic, broken glass, used oil, you name it, straight in a nearby river. If there are any regulations at all about waste disposal here, nobody cares about them. It has to start with education, awareness and an general attitude change. It will take several generations.
You asked is there an alternative - YES to a solution that has ZERO emmissions, YES to a solution that reduces the waste by 97% compared to incineration that still leaves 40 to 50% to cart to the landfill, YES to a solution that provides portable power, YES to a solution that is self powering.
Since ads are not allowed on this site, if you want more information please contact me greg.marsh@ymail.com and I will gladly supply the links.
Incineration is the old way, a huge waste of money and is heavily subsidised in Europe because the governments own the companies.
Post a Comment