Of paper bags and McDonalds: Davao City Solid Waste Management

Following the implementation of Davao City Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance of 2009 (City Ordinance No. 0371-10) All stakeholders of this city are mandated to comply, otherwise fined and prosecuted in court.

I admit I’m an active part of McDonalds economy, gosh, I should receive citation for this, charged it to convenience and lack of time, you’ll find me driving through at any branch opportune to me. As anyone would know this giant fast food chain is one of major contributors of non-biogradable wastes – styro, plastic cups, straw, etc. – and for the longest time this sustained their global business. But now I’d like to believe they’re doing their part to shift to green economy.

And lately in Davao City, I was awed more than surprised that my nuggets and wings we’re not pack in styro and cellophanes anymore, they handed it to me in paper bag and paper packs – I just have this awe feeling that this package will not outlive me – it’ll degrade in about 5 years.

 

There were a lot of qualms in the beginning, especially the people in the public market who uses as much cellophane in their daily transactions, but beginnings are always difficult, and I really hope everyone will do its part to decongest this city’s sewage.

If you want to go through this ordinance, I grabbed a section of it from our Mayor’s Facebook wall, I hope they won’t mind if I’ll share it here;

Davao City Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance of 2009 (City Ordinance No. 0371-10)

Section 10. Mandatory Segregation of Solid Waste – The segregation of waste at source by generators as household and all establishments is MANDATORY.

(Gikinihanglan o mandato ang paglain-lain sa basura sa panimalay ug sa tanang establisemento)

TYPES OF SOLID WASTE (Mga klase sa basura nga ilain-lain)

BIODEGRADABLE (Malata)
-Salin-salin o pan-os nga pagkaon
-Panit ug liso sa prutas ug gulay
-Linimpyo ug bukog sa isda, manok ug karne
-Dahon, sanga ug sagbot
-Hugaw sa hayop
-Patay nga hayop
-Tissue paper
-Barbecue stick
-Upos sa sigarilyo

RECYCLABLE (di-malata pero mapuslan pa)
-botelya, bakal, bildo ug samin
-goma o ligid
-uga nga papel, karton
-lata, plastic, aluminum cans

RESIDUAL (di-malata ug di na mapuslan)
-sanitary napkin, diaper
-daan nga karpet
-sudlanan nga hinimo sa polyvinyl chloride (pvc)
-mga tetra pack ug sachets o mga sudlanan sa candy ug shampoo

SPECIAL WASTES (di malata, di mapuslan)
-sudlanan ug pintura, thinner
-baterya, spray cans
-daot nag mga appliances, sale set ug awarder kung mga dagko nga butang

TYPE OF DISPOSAL

Biodegrable – Practice backyard composting or turn over to barangay
Recyclable – May sold to junk shops or turn over to barangay (MRF)

Residual & Special wastes – shall be thrown to the designated collection point only during throwing time (6:00-9:00pm – City Proper, major thoroughfares & National highway)

Section 47. Prohibited Acts

1. Littering, scattering, throwing and dumping of waste matters in public places.
7. Open burning of solid waste
8. None-segregation of solid waste. (Dili paglain-lain sa baser sa panimalay ug establisemento)
12. Open dumping, burying of solid waste in flood prone areas

Section 51. Citation ticket. Administrative fine.

Any person apprehended or cited for violation and does not wish to contest the violation shall be allowed to pay the fine within one (1) week from the issuance of citation ticket. Otherwise, a corresponding case shall be filed.

1st OFFENSE
Fine of P300.00 and mandatory seminar

2nd OFFENSE
Fine of P500.00 or 5-day community service

3rd OFFENSE
Fine of P1,000 or 10-day community service
*4th and succeeding offense shall be prosecuted in court.

Sec. 48. Penalties. Maximum penalty is P5,000 or six (6) months imprisonment

SOURCE: Davao City Environment and Natural Resources Office

Tagged: Solid Waste Management