Conserving Natural Resource Assets in the Philippines through Improved Local Governance: Good Practices, Co-Benefits and Lessons from the USAID-EcoGov Initiative

Source:

EcoGov Project. 2011. Conserving Natural Resource Assets in the Philippines through Improved Local Governance: Good Practices, Co-Benefits and Lessons from the USAID-EcoGov Initiative. Philippine Environmental Governance (EcoGov) Project, Pasig City, Philippines

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Authors: Jouke D. Boorsma, Rene G. Gaudiel, Johannes G. Paul

[Excerpt from Abstract]

Waste disposal remains a challenge for many municipalities in the Philippines. Main reasons are restricted funds in combination with lack of knowledge and low grade solid waste management (SWM) systems. The presented paper applies Full Cost Accounting (FCA) for the Bayawan City SWM system and discusses issues and impacts of a newly applied “Pay-As-You-Throw” (PAYT) system. Results show that by requesting a minimal fee for waste collection, a significant waste diversion increase for all types of waste materials except for residuals can be obtained. The most substantial diversion is observed for bio-waste whereas the collection rate of such materials declined from 62 to 16 percent in 2010. With an average organic content of 60 percent, PAYT can be considered as a key option to improve the waste disposal situation in the Philippines. Furthermore, the municipality can enhance the profitability of their SWM centre by inviting 3rd party users for waste disposal and by exploring options for recovery of Resource Derived Fuels (RDF).