Abstract

According to Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations, the term "solid waste" encompasses a wide range of materials, including garbage, sludge from various treatment plants, and discarded substances resulting from industrial, commercial, mining, agricultural operations, and community activities. Essentially, almost all human activities generate waste of some form (US EPA., 2023). "Solid waste management," on the other hand, encompasses the gathering, transporting, treating, and discarding of waste products. It addresses the by-products of human actions, aiming to mitigate their impact on health, the environment, and overall appearance. This process not only minimizes negative environmental and health outcomes but also promotes economic growth and enhances the quality of life (Marello & Helwege, 2014). To gain an understanding of the issues surrounding the effective management of solid waste and possible solutions, it is crucial to explore the primary factors that contribute to the mishandling of solid waste worldwide.
The mismanagement of solid waste is a worldwide concern, leading to environmental pollution. Every year, the world generates 2.01 billion tons of municipal solid waste with at least 33% not managed in an environmentally safe manner. (World Bank, 2018). The rapid increase of waste complicates proper segregation and solid waste management which emerged to become a critical challenge that people worldwide face today with serious implications to the environment and human public health (Debrah et al., 2021). Pollution, overflowing landfills, habitat destruction, greenhouse gas emissions, and the depletion of natural resources are some of the consequences of inefficient waste management practices (Abubakar et al., 2022). In 2016, solid waste management accounted for 5% of global emissions, excluding transportation (World Bank, 2018). This pressing concern needs to be prioritized by taking immediate action and ensuring sufficient environmental awareness and knowledge for everyone. As we shift our focus to the national context, it becomes evident that the challenges associated with solid waste management are not confined to international concerns alone. In countries like the Philippines, these issues take on a unique dimension, intertwining with the nation's susceptibility to environmental disasters and posing specific threats to local communities and ecosystems. To fully grasp the gravity of the situation and explore potential solutions, we must now delve into the intricacies of solid waste management at the national level. Low-income countries often rely on open dumping and open burning as their primary methods for waste treatment and final disposal, which are prominently observed practices (Ferronato & Torretta, 2019).