For so many years
now, many LGUs have been trying to implement waste recycling programs in their
own localities, but very few seem to have succeeded. By the looks of it, many
local officials seem resigned to the idea of doing the same thing repeatedly,
and expecting different results, which is Einstein’s definition of insanity. Is
it therefore the time now to try something different? So that we could have
different results?
Instead of just having one type of garbage truck picking up both
biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste materials, why not have two separate
trucks to do that, with two separate schedules?
That way, the biodegradable waste, which is mostly food waste,
could be brought directly to a biodigester facility, where these could be
composted and converted to organic fertilizer. Without the biodegradable waste,
it would be easier to sort the non-biodegradable waste, which is mostly
recyclables.
Better still, we should make it compulsory to sort or segregate
the non-biodegradable waste to paper, plastics, metals and others. All LGUs are
supposed to have their own materials recovery facilities (MRFs) where they are
supposed to sort these recyclables into saleable items. If only these materials
are pre-sorted, it would be very easy to segregate them. Will any LGU try it?
Towards a circular economy
The best way to
understand what a circular economy means is to first understand first what a
linear economy is. In a linear economy, the products or the wastes of products
that enter the market are not returned or recycled back into the production
process.
In a circular economy however, some of the products or the wastes
of some products are returned or recycled back into the production process,
thus creating a loop or a circular flow of materials.
Used packaging, used water and food waste are among the most
common resources that could be reused and recycled. Some environmentalists are
now using the terms upcycled or repurposed, which boils down to the same thing.
Many consumer packages could again be used for packaging and even for
construction materials.
Used water could even be reprocessed to make it potable again.
Food waste could be converted to organic fertilizer. Perhaps the conversion of
food waste into organic fertilizer is one of the best examples of a circular
economy, because it enables farmers to again produce new food from waste food,
thus paving the way for regenerative agriculture.
Aside from that, it could contribute to soil repair, which could
be one of the major solutions for climate change mitigation. It has been proven
by science that organic fertilizers can work. So why not promote it?
Open government approach
The Philippines is
a member of Open Government Partnership (OGP), an international organization of
75 countries that is dedicated to transform how government serves its citizens.
It is a partnership of government leaders and civil society advocates. It aims
to combine the forces of these two sides to promote transparent, participatory,
inclusive and accountable governance.
OGP Philippines claims that “the country has remained steadfast
in its commitment in energizing civic spaces and public participation,
enhancing inclusive digital revolution, amplifying discourses on
anti-corruption, and strengthening transparency and accountability reforms”.
From the time that it was founded in 2011 however, it seems to be lagging in
implementing its goals.
My idea of “open governance” is inspired by the way that
President Magsaysay opened Malacañang to all citizens, such that they could
enter the Palace grounds even if they are just wearing slippers, shorts and
undershirts. No need for appointments, protocols and dress codes.
Fast forward to today, “open governance” should mean that anybody
should be able to access the Palace using any available means such as voice
calls, texts, emails, chats and social media, and be able to get an immediate
response, and preferably not from a chatbot.
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