Benefits of proper solid waste management to our health

Cebu City -- With every food packaging or anything that is of solid and wet waste, some
of us are guilty of tossing it into the trash bin altogether in one place without knowing
how hazardous it could be to the environment and the people collecting these wastes.
The waste that was not segregated properly would later be handled by the collectors,
harming their health. This is why in the Philippines, there is a Republic Act that is issued
to protect the environment and everyone’s health.

In this article, the National Nutrition Council Region VII will briefly discuss what this law
is, the benefits of solid waste management, and share with you eight things you need to
know about this act to broaden your knowledge about this.

What is RA 9003 about?

This is the Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of
2000. This act aims to protect the environment and the people in the community while
setting proper guidelines for segregation so as to minimize the waste when composting,
recycling, and etc.

Benefits of solid waste management

Many people may not be aware of this but there are many benefits to solid waste
management to our health and for our environment.

One of the many benefits of proper solid waste management is that it improves the
overall air and water quality in the country, which essentially keeps us healthy due to
the presence of less harmful particles in the air we breathe and the water we drink.

Another benefit is that it ensures the safe disposal of any residual or wet waste by
properly segregating the wastes. Direct handling of solid wastes could result in many
types of infectious diseases to the collectors if the waste is not properly secured.
Exposure to this hazardous waste can affect one's health and could cause long-term
diseases.

Proper solid waste management also protects citizens from biohazards and physical
harm, nurtures community health, promotes sanitation, and provides opportunities to
earn from recycling.
This is where the local government unit and barangay will come in to help educate
residents on how to properly separate the waste according to the right containers and
areas to ensure the wellbeing of the other residents and the people in this line of work.

8 things you need to know about RA 9003

We have prepared eight things you need to know about the ecological solid waste
management act that you should be aware of to help the environment and protect the
wellbeing of the collectors, as well as what you, as a citizen, could do as part of this
decree:

 This act protects the public’s health and environment.

 Properly segregate waste by placing the waste material in the right containers and areas
for easy disposal.
 Fines are issued to those who do not follow proper segregation and disposal.
 All collectors should wear personal protective equipment to protect themselves from the
hazards of handling solid wastes.
 To reduce the waste being disposed of so as to lessen land spaces being filled with
waste.
 Barangays should conduct segregation and collection of solid waste for biodegradable,
compostable, and reusable waste in the area.
 The use of non-environmentally acceptable products is prohibited under this act.
 If a citizen witnesses a public officer neglecting the law, they can file an administrative
action against the officer.

Support the goal and act of proper management of our waste for the benefit of our
environment and ultimately, for our health! // By NO I Christine April M. Lopez, RND and
Jewelle Chua, The Memoriter Writing Service intern