Republic of the Philippines

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Graduate School
Sta. Mesa, Manila

Public Policy and Program Administration

MPA 625

Electronic -Waste Management and Establishment

of Facilities

Submitted to:

Dr. Sanjay P. Claudio

Professor

Submitted by:

Andres F. Sicam Jr.

Student, Master in Public Administration

Situational Analysis
Since time immemorial, mankind has continuously discovering ways and means to
improve their lives. With the advent of technological advances especially in the late
1990’s up to the present time, our lives have undergone several positive changes. In
our modern lives now, cell phones are necessary conveniences to conduct business in
transacting business with people from all walks of life. The latest gadgets today in the
market may be obsolete by tomorrow, so to speak, which only goes to show that
technologies are fast- changing our life style and the world today.

However, the ugly side of development has started showing up. Take for example, the
manufacturing and production of electrical and electronic products of developed (Japan,
South Korea and Taiwan) and developing (Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam) countries
which greatly contribute to a new waste which is called Electronic waste or E-waste.
The increase in number of Electronic waste globally cannot be denied. But what is E
waste and how do will deal with this problem? Can we recycle it and how many percent
of electronic product can be recycled? And what are the substances that are potentially
harmful to our environment and human health.

E-waste is defined as informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their
"useful life.”E-wastes are considered dangerous, as certain components of some
electronic products contain materials that are hazardous, depending on their condition
and density. The hazardous content of these materials pose a threat to human health
and environment. Discarded computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, fax
machines, electric lamps, cell phones, audio equipment and batteries if improperly
disposed can leach lead and other substances into soil and groundwater. Many of these
products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled in an environmentally sound manner
so that they are less harmful to the ecosystem. (Published by: Envis Journal of
Human Settlements, March 2004.)

In the Philippines there are Laws that were created in response to the proliferation of
waste, waste disposal and environmental preservation against this waste. One of which
is the Republic Act No. 9003, “The Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of
2000 and the Republic Act No. 6969 entitled “An Act to Control Toxic substances
Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes”. However, the clear guideline in the
implementation of disposing the E-waste remained vague and incompleted
as far as E-waste is concerned.

In other countries like Japan and South Korea they have legal framework about
disposing the Electronic waste. Japan, for instance, is currently implementing the Law
for the Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources. This particular law focuses on
enhancing measures in recycling goods and reducing waste generations. While the
other Law is dealing with the Recycling of Specified Kinds of Home Appliances, this law
imposes certain responsibilities to its citizens related to the recycling of home-use
electronic consumer goods with the corresponding penalties. On the other hand , South
Korea had began to implement the Law for Promotion of Resources Saving and Re-
utilization that addresses their country’s problem on rapid increase in e-waste and lack
of sufficient landfills to accommodate them. This law is primarily aimed to conserve
resources and preserve the environment by promoting recycling. (Sung-woo and Rie
Murakami – Suzuki)

In Europe, some member - countries of European Union, specifically Switzerland and

Netherland, have proven their own initiative programs likewise, as effective and
beneficial to their countries, too. These countries introduced the Program of Extended
Producer Responsibility which control the use of hazardous substances on electrical and
electronic equipment and required all producers of electronic goods to take back
expired and end-life products recycle waste electronic equipment.

Stakeholders Analysis
The major key actors are the Manufacturer, Retailer, and Consumer as defined below:
Manufacturer: the one which produces the electrical, electronic and high technological
products such as refrigerators, television, air conditioners, washing machine, desktops,
laptops and cellular phone.

Retailer: the one who sells and distributes electrical and electronic products. He acts
as the middle man between the manufacturer and consumer.

Consumer: the one who consumes the product for his/ her own need satisfaction.
Government is the leading body which could legislate, regulate and formulate the e-
waste policy for the protection on both manufacturer and consumer.
Goals
 To create a clear definition of E-waste Management and draw implementing
guidelines
 To start implementing standard E-waste Management in offices, community
household and personal levels.
 To amend some provisions in Republic Act 9003, to include E-waste Management
therein.
Objectives
 To create awareness on E-waste management among the people and develop a
sense of responsibilities on their part.
 To share a universal vision in achieving a balanced and healthful environment
through E-waste management
 To advocate E-waste Management in Schools, Industrial places and Household.

Alternatives Policy Solutions

Amending Republic Act No. 9003 , otherwise known as the "Philippine Ecological Solid
Waste Management Act of 2000," and by virtue of Executive Order No. 192, Series of
1987, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources hereby adopts and
promulgates the following rules and regulations.
Establishment of Facilities that focuses on Electronic Waste
Encourage the private-public partnership sectors to establish the Electronic waste
Facilities.

Policy Recommendations

Amending Republic Act No. 9003 , otherwise known as the "Philippine Ecological Solid
Waste Management Act of 2000," and by virtue of Executive Order No. 192, Series of
1987, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources hereby adopts and
promulgates the following rules and regulations.
In the Philippines Republic Act No. 9003 commonly known as Philippine Ecological Solid
Waste Management Act of 2000 was signed into Law in January 2001. The law set a
benchmarks and directives for solid waste prevention and volume reduction through
source reduction and waste minimization means which include recycling, recovery and
recovery before collection, treatment and disposal at proper and correct waste
management facilities. Under the law, consumer electronics and white goods are
classified special wastes, which require separate handling from residential and
commercial wastes. However, no clear guidelines are set to properly dispose
these E-wastes.

In addition another Law is set to protect the environment and human health, the
Republic Act 6969 or known as The Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear
Waste Control Act of 1990 which also controls materials of hazardous component but
no precise provision on e-waste is contained in that law.
By amending our existing laws we can have an operational definition of e-waste and set
specific scope in the definition of e-waste. The law should cover desktop, laptop,
cellular phone, printer and ink cartridge also the inclusion of second–hand electronic
products. We can also set clear guidelines on how to handle the E-waste. First, shared
responsibilities on the source or let the manufacturer take back and recycle their
electronic waste equipment. There’s now a pending bill at the Senate which was
proposed by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV regarding E-waste which was entitled “An Act
providing for the collection, transportation and recycling of electronic waste and cellular
phones.” If this bill will be enacted in law, this will greatly impact the e-waste efforts
being undertaken now by some concerned Filipinos. Second, require them to place
facilities that would cater the e-waste user. Manufacturers should know the hazardous
substances they injected on their electronic products, placing electronic waste facilities
would also mean a Job creation and additional profit and growth on the part of the
manufacturer and government. With the establishment of e-waste facilities in the
country we will have a clear monitoring on record of e-waste disposal in Philippines. All
those involved (manufacturer, retailer, and consumer) must have access to e-waste
facilities. Third, give incentives to consumers so that they would be encouraged in
returning the obsolete and used electronic product in their household to these e-waste
facilities.

By amending the provisions on the existing law would mean money on the part of
congress, yes there are pending bills that proposes in handling the e-waste, it will take
time for both house and senate to pass the bill because their priorities is on poverty
alleviation, job creation, and so forth, in short it takes a strong political will to
implement these. Another setback would be manufacturer will have a high cost of
investment in putting e waste facilities and there’s only limited land area for that
purpose.
In my recent interview with some junkshop owner most of the electronic wastes that
are being brought to them are the following television, washing machine, air
conditioners and refrigerators. From our conversations, I learned that this is how they
process e-waste on their ends. First, separate the part that can be recycled and trash
the part that can’t be recycled. Then, bring it to processing centre and the processing
centre send it to other countries. However, he admitted that they are clueless to
hazardous substances that are present in the said electronic waste. Among the gadgets
like laptop, desktop, cellular phones, only desktop can be processed. This is due to lack
of technical knowledge to process the rest of the electronic wastes.

Because of this lack of technical knowledge on the part of junkshop operators, some
business opportunities are being missed out or ”put to waste”, literally. If only our
country could have the expertise of some technical people abroad, then this is definitely
a big business opportunity that could generate employment to jobless Filipino; the
government should look into this and better invest in technical equipment and
professional expertise of our engineers or technicians who could be employed to do this
e-waste technology. We should learn from the experiences of other countries and apply
these principles and methods of modern e-waste that is applicable to the Philippine
setting.
Old newspapers and trashed papers are temporarily stored in the junkshop’s receiving
area. These tons of recycled papers are waiting to be transported to a private company
in Manila for further, processing from the junkshop.

In my interview with Mr. Vincent Alon, the Officer of the Environment and Sanitation
Center of Muntinlupa City Government, he confirmed that the junk shop owners
operating in Muntinlupa City would normally accept the e-wastes but can’t process them
on their ends due to lack of technical knowledge and skill. Furthermore, he said that
City Government of Muntinlupa is cooperating with NGO’s and private companies to
teach and help these junkshop owners manage their e-waste better.