© GIZ/ Gabriele Kohlisch
The German Government and Federal States Programme supports the project assessment and management of plastic waste streams and their leakages in Bacolod City in the preparation of the new 10-year plan for waste treatment. By scientifically analysing plastic waste streams, recommendations for action are identified, which the city integrates into the plan. At the same time, measures are being developed for women from the informal waste sector to improve their situation in terms of income and participation in decision-making processes.
Waste in Bacolod City
One of the Philippines' biggest challenges is the high volume of plastic waste. It not only leads to pollution of beaches and the environment, but also to flooding during heavy rainfall, as it is washed into the canals and rivers and prevents the water from draining away.
Waste producers do not consistently separate their waste, as there is no incentive to do so. This makes recycling more difficult, as organic waste is mixed with plastic waste. Initial small-scale initiatives have not yet been sufficiently successful. The majority of recyclable materials are still recovered at the Felisa landfill site, from which informal waste collectors take what can still be utilised.
Waste plan for the city
Two studies were carried out together with the University of Kassel and the Philippine universities La Consolacion College (LCC) and University of La Salle (ULC). One was used to analyse waste flows with the aid of the Waste Flow Diagram developed by GIZ, which determines and measures waste flows. The second study focussed on the situation and the possibility of strengthening the waste pickers at the Felisa waste dump.
The results of the first study were incorporated into the 10-year waste plan of the city of Bacolod and show initial successes in implementation, such as the installation of a trash trap in Mambulok Creek, which prevents 200 kg of waste from being washed into the river every day. Measures have been developed for the waste pickers to improve their living conditions. The women have been formalised as the Informal Waste Picker Association and can therefore submit applications to the city. As a result, they now have regular medical check-ups and have applied for a shelter at the Felisa rubbish tip to protect them from the sun and rain. Consideration has also been given to how the income situation can be improved. Using organic waste, initial attempts are being made to breed the maggots of the black soldier fly in households in order to reduce expenditure on animal feed, such as for chickens and fish, and to generate additional income by selling the maggots.
Author: Gabriele Kohlisch