SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ZAMBOANGA CITY:

STATUS QUO AND CHALLENGES

BULAY-OG, REWARD C.
EUGENIO, JUDYLIE S.
FRANCISCO, RHETT JONES A.
JUNTILLA, TERYMAE AMOR P.

Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Respondents for the Degree

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

A Thesis Proposal Presented to

The Faculty of Environmental Science Program
COLLEGE OF FISHERIES AND MARINE SCIENCES
Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology
Zamboanga City

2022

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 INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Landfill site is a tip, dump, or merchandising ground for disposal of waste material. The

primary role of a landfill is to accept all waste materials on a certain area. (EPA, 2019). Waste

disposal has a direct and indirect impact to the environment and more waste generated means

more space that is needed, it can also add to the production of greenhouse gases (GHG) that can

give an indirect effect which is climate change. Leachate, which is a water pollutant (Butt et al.,

2007) which can give a direct and indirect effect to the water bodies.

Landfill and the waste product can pollute three principal environmental media these are

the atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere. Landfills are major contributor of greenhouse gas

(GHG), landfill operation also associated with the production of leachate (Njoku et al., 2019).

One of the biological process that happens in a municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills are the

production of greenhouse gas (GHG), the amount or quantity of the GHG depends on how long

does the landfill operates. Inhalation of Methane which is one of the GHG can cause loss of

coordination, nausea, vomiting, and when expose to a high concentration it can cause death. A

study was conducted and find out that leachate is one of the pollutants that can be found on a

landfill site. Presence of leachate can cause harm to the environment and also it can give risk to

human health. Leachate contains these four Components; nutrients (Nitrogen), volatile organic

compounds (VOC), heavy metals (HM), and toxic organic compounds. The production of

leachate on a landfill depends on the e.g. landfill age, weather, fluctuations, amount of

precipitations, waste type and also it’s compositions. A study was also conducted where scientist

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tested the salmon form fish of rainbow trout (oncoryhynus mykiss) in order to evaluate the

toxicity effects of leachates to an organism and the result of the study says that it can harm the

environment especially the aquatic organisms because of the presence of Ammonia. (Vaverkova,

M.D. 2019).

The location of a landfill sites will take into consideration in order to minimize or prevent

any possible risk that can cause to the environmental problems and can take risk to human being

or any living organisms. There are suggested measurements that is needed to apply or take into

consideration in choosing a good landfill sites and these are; community considerations, the

Flora and fauna, natural resources, surface and ground water (EPA, 2019). Aside from choosing

the right location for a landfill it is also important to monitor the waste that will be dump into the

landfill. Salaan landfill is a (SMW) that accepts only residual waste , this are the non hazardous

solid waste that can be recycled by the help of MRF.

MRF stands for Material Recovery Facility, also known as Material Reclamation Facility

or Material Recycling Facility. An MRF is a facility where separated waste collected is further

segregated and various recyclable waste components are recovered for recycling or resale.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

This study aims to assess the status quo and challenges of solid waste management in

Zamboanga City. Specifically, the study aims to:

1. Describe the status quo of solid waste management in Zamboanga City in terms of the

operational activities of:

a) Material recovery facilities

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 b) Sanitary landfill

2. Determine the challenges encountered in the management of solid wastes in Zamboanga

City

3. Identify the mitigating measures employed in addressing challenges of solid waste

management in Zamboanga City.

SIGNIFANCE OF THE STUDY

This study aims to contribute and inform the status quo of solid waste management in the

city of Zamboanga. This study also offers information and knowledge about the following:

Institution: Institutions such as the government and other establishments will benefit from

the present information that will gain prior to the stance of the new landfill's functioning and

transactions. It also helps in contributing knowledge to at least be aware that solid waste and

garbage are really big issues and concerns to be addressed.

Teachers: To the sole knowledge disseminator of the society, the status quo will help

address the solid waste management to contribute as references in the studies, as

recommendations and related studies.

Parents: Discipline and awareness start at home with parents, and with this knowledge

and contribution, parents will help educate their offspring with this study.

Students: This research will assist students with prior knowledge, state, and statistical

aspects of the status quo in the city's solid waste management, and the landfill.

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 The Researchers: It is a great and timely issue for the researcher’s starting points,

recommendations, references, and related studies.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS

The study focuses on status quo and challenges with the scope of giving humble

suggestions in mitigating measures employed in addressing challenges of solid waste

management in Zamboanga City. The population of respondents, particularly those in charge or

who are responsible for and capable of interpreting the study’s findings. This study is expected to

meet a 2-3-week time frame. 

The study focuses on status quo and challenges of solid waste management and limits

itself to helping gain possible solutions and suggestions to the rapid increase of solid waste. It

also limits its respondents to the people in charge and those who are capable of meeting the

information needs of this study. Furthermore, it limits 2-3 weeks of surveying and interviewing

to 1-2 weeks to conduct the data gathering and provide the information needed in the study.

However, the limits of the information will also be due to the expensive faire and the availability

of the possible and credible respondents due to their response to the said and current occurrence

of the pandemic. 

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 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND FRAMEWORK

RELATED LITERATURE

The Landfill is a location where all human-generated waste is stored, and it is one of the

oldest method of waste disposal. In the twentieth century, a simple dumpsite was a standard way

for disposing of solid trash; nevertheless, environmental issues arose. The concept of “sanitary

landfill” was burned in the United States of America in the 1930`s and it helps ease and solve the

environmental problem associated with a simple dumpsite. However, due to population growth,

it creates a new problem: an increase in the amount of solid waste material (Zhang et al., 2019).

The rise of the population and garbage output are in inextricably linked (Yousefi H et al., 2018).

In the year 2050, it is estimated and predicted the amount of garbage produced will increase by

70 percent to 3.4 billion metric tons which can be recycled.

A landfill is defined as a carefully engineered depression in the ground into which waste

is buried. The wastes need to be buried to avoid the hydraulic connection between the wastes and

the surrounding environment, especially protecting the groundwater from getting in touch with

the wastes (Aja et al., 2014). Landfills can be classified according to the type of waste disposed

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of in hazardous, municipal (solid waste and sewage sludge) and inert waste. There are several

types of the landfill: MSW landfill, sanitary landfill, construction and demolition landfill and

also hazardous waste landfill. MSW landfill retains the commercial and household solid waste

while hazardous landfill is for deposition of hazardous waste materials (Shukla and Yin, 2006).

Among the numerous means of eliminating solid waste, landfilling is the most widely used and

preferable method due to the technical feasibility, ease of operation, need minimum supervisions,

require less technology, as well as low operation expenditure (Aja et al., 2014)

A landfill site is also referred to as a tip or dump (Zhu, et al., 2008). Landfilling is

predominantly used in low-income countries due to its economic advantages (Elliott et al., 2009).

The disadvantages of landfills are that landfills and their surrounding areas are often heavily

polluted. This leads to water, air, and soil pollution through the spread of dangerous chemicals

into the water table or into waterways (Buso et al., 2015).

As noted by most studies (Owusu-Sekyere et al., 2013; Ugwoha & Emete, 2015) landfill

sites are classified as engineered and conventional landfill sites. Engineered landfill sites are also

referred to as sanitary landfills. Sanitary landfills are specially built landfills, which reduce the

harmful effects of dumping. A sanitary landfill is a disposal site designed, constructed, operated,

and maintained to minimize the potential environmental impact of deposited waste. Engineered

landfills have appropriate liners for groundwater protection, sumps for leachate collection,

leachate treatment systems, groundwater monitoring wells, landfill gas collection systems, and

appropriate final cover design (Elliott et al., 2009).

Selection of land for landfill site construction is a major challenge due to the required

level of public acceptance. Several studies have highlighted cases of local societies’ revolt

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against landfill placement in their community (Annorbah, 2014; Magda et al., 2015). According

to the (DWAF, 1998), citing a landfill far away from residential areas, industrial units,

archaeological sites, airports, military establishments, forest or reforested areas, protected areas,

or areas of ecological importance is ideal. In the same vein, landfills are to be sited away from

flood plains and wetlands to prevent contamination of the underground water system. Aside from

the environmental criteria as identified above recognized that issues relating to social acceptance,

residential pressure, property status, farming and animal-raising activity, use of groundwater by

residents, and current aesthetic status are equally important (Syeda et al., 2014)

Recovery, collection and removal of waste, which includes the administration of such an

operation, is useful for waste management (Jerie & Tevera, 2014). Therefore, how waste is

managed directly affects local and global environmental quality (Fischer, 2011; Olsen, 2017).

Researchers such as Gunsilius et al. (2011), and Masood and Barlow (2013), indicate that from

the start of human history, disposal of waste has been problematic. The matter has gained more

and more importance over the years, with increasing quantities of waste and awareness of the

environmental impacts of poorly managed waste (Fienh & Ball, 2015).

Regions that generates most of municipal solid waste (MWS) is from east Asia and the

Pacific region area due to its huge population number (Ian Tiseo,2021). Brunner and Rechberger

(2015), in support of the study of Gunsilius et al., (2011), indicate that the rapidly growing

volume of waste has become the main issue of waste management in today ‘s societies. They

note that waste management practices have grown over many centuries. From the above-cited

studies, waste management has been a long-standing challenge that has increased in recent years.

Therefore, the challenge needs to be dealt with, to achieve a sustainable environment.

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 An effective waste management strategy is currently a key target in environmental

policies worldwide, and awareness of the environmental impacts of waste has continued to grow

(Gow et al., 2016). It has been understood that growth in waste generation, unrestrained by

correct reduction and management techniques, can damage natural systems (Banchmann &

Ingenhoff, 2016). Waste is not environmentally friendly by nature; the waste produced

contributes significantly to environmental degradation (Olsen, 2017). De Besi and McCormick

(2015), and Mihai and Ingrao (2016), indicate that sustainable waste management is essential for

optimizing the use of waste in the economy, and that proper management is a key issue in the

near future. Waste and its management are about demand for resources, development, human

behavior, finance, and much more (Horsonby et al., 2016). Aleluia and Ferrao (2016), and

Hafeez et al. (2016), state that in managing waste, one needs to consider the suitable approaches

and pay attention to the characteristics and properties of the waste that is generated. Developing

countries have a shortage of state of the art facilities for proper and stable waste management,

and even some countries lack proper regulatory guidelines for waste management, while

production is increasing day by day, mostly in urban areas (Hafeez et al., 2016). Adomako and

Danso (2014) argue in favor of the study of Hafeez et al. (2016), indicating that further efforts

should be made available, particularly the waste management facilities database. It is plausible to

encourage waste generators to put more efforts to manage the waste generated effectively.

In a news article that was published by a journalist Jonathan L. Mayuaga, year 2021, that

shows a statistic record of waste that the country of the Philippines produced, it was mentioned

that last year Philippines generated a 21,4265,676 metric tons of garbage and it was said that

metro manila residents produce twice than those living in other places.

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 Landfills are one of the major contributors of the greenhouse gases (GHG`S)

approximately five percent of the global GHG`S emission. Landfilling is the most common

method for disposal of putrescible waste such as food waste (Lou et al., 2013). Unfortunately,

without any appropriate treatment, the waste which trapped in landfill sites can cause the release

of carbon dioxide and methane to the atmosphere which will lead to the production of

greenhouse gas (GHG) (Malakahmad et al., 2012). However, the emission of GHG can be

reduced by using anaerobic processes and the after product of the process (biogas) can be used as

an energy source which will reduce the combustion of fossil fuel (Kumar and Ting, 2010).

Proper waste management can only be achieved if those who generate waste, such as

manufacturing businesses, individuals, and households, are aware of waste separation (Aleluia &

Ferrao, 2016). However, debris separation involves integrated waste management, which

employs several waste control methods based on the waste hierarchy, which includes avoidance

reduction, reuse, and disposal (Kulkarni et al., 2014). According to Kulkarni et al., (2014), the

waste hierarchy is aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of waste. The waste hierarchy

is a basic ranking system for various waste management alternative based on which is the most

environmental friendly. The best option is to avoid trash, while the worst one is to dispose of

rubbish in landfills. However, it is important for those who participate in waste generation to be

informed on how to manage waste, such as different types of waste, and how to separate them.

Waste collection is a highly visible service that comes with significance costs and

operational challenges. Furthermore, it is costly to operate in terms of investment costs,

operational and environmental costs (Faccio et al., 2011). As a results, waste products come from

variety of sources, are environmentally harmful, and are costly to manage in the long run

(Schwaretz et al., 2013). Waste information is important for proper management planning, data

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on waste generation and management in sometimes not reliable enough. This is due to the large

number of waste types and flows, as well as actors, such producers, administration, and manager

who make data gathering and treatment challenging (Scardamalia et al., 2013)

In the waste management tension, municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal has been a

major challenge (Ayan et al., 2010). Pump sites and landfills remain the most popular MSW

disposal mechanism around the world. The deposited trash produces and emits hazardous

compound, including toxic liquid, which slowly seep underground at these sites. This liquid is

frequently referred to us leachates (Aziz et al., 2015). Leachates is made up of soluble

compounds such as water organic and in organic chemicals, and bacterial laden substances.

RELATED STUDUES

In the study of Ambait (2004), she assessed the domestic solid waste management as to

their level of awareness and extent of compliance under R.A. No. 2003, as how solid waste

management implemented in segregation. Collection transfer and transport and disposal towards

technology intervention in the province of Eastern Samar. Pineda (2002), she enumerated the

type of storage depository prior to disposals including plastic bags, garbage bin, empty drums,

sacks and plastic containers with lids from households, from the schools, from commercial

establishments and from industries. Domicile (2004), focused on the sources of garbage as the

assessment of solid waste management in Daanbantayan, Cebu. Bernaldez (2000), garbage

problem in Cagayan de Oro City, the residents recorded experience flooding caused by overflow

of canals clogged by garbage. They apply burning, recycling and composting of wastes

generated in households. Uy (1998) explained that the problem of the solid waste management

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has become more complex today than the thirty years ago. The increasing problem was attributed

to the urbanization of goods by commercial and industrial establishments which are worsened by

the unmindful attitude among the populace.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

The study is anchored on the theoretical framework of status quo and challenges design

and operational practices, sometimes in combination with municipal solid waste (MSW)

pretreatment techniques, to control effectively landfill behavior by R Stegmann (1999).

The effect of specific practices during landfill design and operation on landfill

decomposition is an area that has attracted investigation since the 1970s. Solid waste

management is an environmental priority for most islands in the pacific. Unfortunately, lack of

recycling and reduction initiatives, poor waste collection systems, open dumpsites, and

environmental pollution are still common in many countries in the region. The discharge of

untreated Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) onto land is very widespread in developing country.

The compounds contained in MSW cause harmful effect on humans and the environment.

Hence, an assessment of the extent of their local impact is necessary. Improper solid waste

12
dumps are spreading different diseases in the study area. An efficient municipal solid waste

management system may create serious negative environmental impacts like infectious, diseases,

land and water pollution, obstruction of drains and loss of biodiversity. Proper waste

management/mitigating increase of solid waste can only be achieved if those who generate

waste, such as manufacturing businesses, individuals, and households, are aware of waste

separation (Aleluia & Ferrao, 2016). However, debris separation involves integrated waste

management, which employs several waste control methods based on the waste hierarchy, which

includes avoidance reduction, reuse, and disposal (Kulkarni et al., 2014). According to Kulkarni

et al., (2014), the waste hierarchy is aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of waste. The

waste hierarchy is a basic ranking system for various waste management alternative based on

which is the most environmental friendly. The best option is to avoid trash, while the worst one

is to dispose of rubbish in landfills. However, it is important for those who participate in waste

generation to be informed on how to manage waste, such as different types of waste, and how to

separate them.

In a study done by Armando Di Nardo et al., (2019) this was found that effective landfill

management and operation require an accurate evaluation of the occurrence and extent of odor

emission events, which are among the main causes of resident complaints and concerns, in

particular in densely urbanized areas. In the sense of landfill management, the general premise of

pretreatment technologies is that treating the waste before final disposal will reduce the volume

of waste being landfilled and enhance or accelerate the stabilization of the waste, reducing the

long term disadvantageous effects on the environment.

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CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

 MRF
Head
Material Recovery
Solid waste Status Quo Facility (MRF)  MRF
management in and Workers
Zamboanga city Challenges ∑  Landfill
Sanitary Landfill Head
 Landfill
Workers

Figure 1. Conceptual framework on the assessment of status quo and challenges of solid waste

management in Zamboanga City

The conceptual framework of the status quo and challenges of solid waste management in

Zamboanga City, has been developed using total interpretative structural modeling (TISM) that

contributes to the development of important links and the hierarchical relationships among the

factors. In addition to that, the model also figures out the independent variables: solid waste

management. The dependent variables are the status quo and challenges in terms of the

operational activities of: MRF and sanitary landfill. Some country includes the 3R`s in their

waste management in order to save landfill space, earn and can mitigate/lessen the cost it can

give indirectly to the society, a published article by Fahzy Abdul-Rahman, 2014.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

For the better understanding of this study, the following terms are defined in the context

of this research.

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 Landfill. A landfill or also called a sanitary landfill, also a land disposal site for waste,

which is designed to protect from environmental pollution and health risk.

Material Recovery Facility. A process of obtaining from solid waste, by presegregation or

otherwise, materials that still have useful physical or chemical properties and can be reused or

recycled for some purpose.

Residual waste. Non-hazardous waste material that cannot be re-used or recycled and

needs to be sent to energy recovery or disposal. Residual waste includes materials produced by

industrial, mining and agricultural operations.

Sanitary landfill. Sites were waste is isolated from the environment until it is safe.

Status Quo and Challenges. The current situation of solid waste management in

Zamboanga City that until now isn’t looking for change.

CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

The study is a descriptive design which uses survey questionnaire in addressing the

problem in the study. The landfill has MRF which segregates the wastes, to which waste were

separated before disposing in the cells. The researchers will also acquire qualitative and

quantitative method of data. The researchers also consider in addressing the workers, with

deductive approach to which the researchers will let the workers involves with their theory and

15
existing knowledge. This also address the functions of workers with their following protocols

and guidelines.

RESEARCH LOCALE

The study will be conducted in two separated material recovery facilities and the sanitary

landfill located in Zamboanga City. Material recovery facility are found in two different

locations one on district 1 and one on district 2 of the city. The sanitary landfill is located in

barangay Salaan, Zamboanga City. These places were selected knowing the capability of people

working and managing the sites would provide the data needed by the researchers for the study.

The above mention study sites help address concern in status quo in challenges in Zamboanga

City.

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 Figure 1. aerial view of Salaan Zamboanga City with the Salaan landfill.

Fig. 2 Sanitary landfill facility in Salaan Zamboanga City

RESPONDENTS OF THE STUDY

The respondents of study are composed of two main categories: the management and the

workers of material recovery facility and sanitary landfill in Zamboanga City. Purposive

sampling method will be use for the management, while convenience sampling will be use for

the worker. Under the category of management, there will be two different respondents the MRF

workers and landfill workers. In the category of workers same as the management, there will be

two respondents the MRF and landfill workers.

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 The chosen respondents are composed of fifteen (15) MRF workers in District I, ten (10)

MRF workers in District II. and thirteen (13) in Zone-III, Salaan, Zamboanga City. The

barangays were chosen by the researcher because they were suitable and applicable to the study.

RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS

The research instruments that the researchers will use consist of two types; the first one

will be a survey type, which uses a descriptive analysis and will be given to the workers of the

material recovery facility (MRF) and landfill IN Salaan Zamboanga City. The second part will

be an interview type. The researchers will use a thematic analysis that will interpret and analyze

the data gathered from the respondents.

DATA GATHERING PROCEDURE

Part 1. A survey with MRF and sanitary landfill.

1. Determine who will participate in the survey.

2. Decide the type of survey (questionnaire).

3. Design the survey question and layout.

4. Distribute the survey.

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 5. Analyze the responses.

Part 2. Interview of heads in MRF and sanitary landfill.

1. Decide the purpose and goals of the interview.

2. Set a structure and format base on the researcher’s goals.

3. Determine the need of the researcher`s respondents, and gather background information.

4. Formulate questions as clearly and concisely as possible and plot their order

5. Project the outcome of the interview, and develop a plan for accomplishing the goal.

6. Select a time and site.

7. Inform the respondents of the nature of the interview and the agenda to be covered.

DATA ANALYSIS

In determining the status quo of solid waste management in Zamboanga city, the Likert

scale has been used. It is used a five-point scale; each point corresponding to Likert item.

Point Scale Verbal Interpretation

5 4.2-5 Strongly Agree

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 4 3.4-4.19 Agree

3 2.6-3.9 Neither agree nor Disagree

2 1.8-2.59 Disagree

1 1.0-1.79 Strongly Disagree

Formula:

X=∑ WX
Where:
N

W= points (5,4,3,2,1) X= number of respondents

N= total number of respondents

Thematic analysis allows the researchers to determine precisely the relationship between
concepts and compare them with the replicated data. By using, thematic analysis there are the
possibility to link the various concepts and opinion of the learners and compare these with the
data that has been gathered to different situation at different times. All possibilities for
interpretation are possible.respon

APPENDIX
Respondent`s Details
Name: Age:
(optional)
Mobile number:
Please read: please respond to the following questions by checking (/) YES or NO or providing
the requested information.

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 No. Questions Response

YES NO
1 Are there waste management that the city applies in the city’s waste
production?
2 Do you think the response of the city to the growing production of
waste is effective in the past years?
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

1. What are the common residual waste that causes to reach the maximum capacity of the
cell 2 in Zamboanga city?

1. Ceramics (e.g., clay, bricks, glass )

2. Leather (e.g., jackets, footwear, bags)
3. industrial equipment (e.g., bulbs)
4. storage tanks
5. pharmaceutical waste
6. detergents and cleaners
7. photographic film and papers
8. pesticides

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1999

Japan International Cooperation Agency: Supporting Capacity Development for Solid Waste
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Japan International Cooperation Agency: Caution for Application of “Fukuoka Method” (Semi-
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Japan Municipal Association for Waste Management: Guidelines for Operation of Waste
Disposal Sites, 1989 (in Japanese)

Matsufuji, Y.: Design and Operation of Sanitary Landfill, JICA, 1990

Matsufuji, Y.: Technical Guidelines on Sanitary Landfill, JICA, 1990

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Independent State of Samoa: Manual of

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Richards, E.: Solid Waste Management in Pacific Islands and Territories (Draft), 2009

Sakurai, K.: Improvement of Solid Waste Management in Developing Countries, JICA,1990

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