Garbage Problem

problems

Garbage litters most of metropolitan Manila as authorities grapple with the unenviable task of finding a dump site for the many tons of rubbish generated by the capital's 12 million residents.

The Philippine government, engulfed in a political crisis over the impeachment trial of President Joseph Estrada, is also working overtime to avoid a full-blown garbage calamity that may test the patience of the metropolis.

The garbage situation reflects the never-ending mess that buffets the two-and-a-half year Estrada administration. Problems include Muslim extremism, kidnappings, rising unemployment and protest actions spawned by accusations Estrada pocketed millions of pesos in kickbacks from illegal gambling operations.

According to government records, metropolitan Manila generates an average 5,854 tons of waste, 29,268 cubic meters, daily.

About 74.14% of the trash comes from households, 9.40% from commercial shops, 7.50% from restaurants, 7.60% from public markets, 0.80% from institutions, 0.41% from street sweepings and 0.14% from river clean up, the records show.

Of the waste, records say only about 4% is recycled, 6% is burned or buried, 25% is illegally dumped or finds its way into the sewers and nearby river systems and 65% is collected by authorized garbage collectors.

''The problem is where to dump these tons of garbage,'' said Visia Aldon, a spokeswoman for the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). ''We have to look for ways.''

Finding dump sites for garbage has proven to be difficult indeed for the government.

The government needs at least 30 hectares a year -- and millions of pesos -- to properly dispose of all waste generated by metropolitan Manila residents, Aldon said.

solution:
This petition is the request big fast food chains in the Philippines to do the following:

1. Use plastic serving plastic plates instead of stryo.

2. Use washable spoons and forks for dine-ins instead of disposable.

3. Use washable plastic glasses instead of disposable.

4. Segregate the garbage from within the store.

5. Adopt garbage minimization programs.