Garbage in the City

Another garbage crisis is in the air of Metro Manila. The 14 hectare landfill located in Rodriguez, Rizal has been ordered closed effective today by Rizal province governor Casimiro Ynarez III. According to the Governor the land fill has reached its full capacity aside from being a hazard to residents living within the area.
From what I know Metro Manila produces 8,000 cu. meters of garbage everyday. Now what can we individually do to reduce the amount of our garbage?
Jeneen R. Garcia suggests the following:
1.# Reduce & Reuse
If you’re in the manufacturing business, design your product so that you use less packaging, and more replaceable and recyclable components. This way you reduce the waste that goes to landfills. Substitute toxic substances with safer alternatives so less poison ends up in the environment.
In your office or as a consumer, cut down on items that produce waste like polystyrene packaging and aerosols. Choose reusable products like rechargeable batteries and rewritable CDs. Electronic and electrical waste is still an emerging concern. This type of waste not only occupies a lot of space, but also contains toxic heavy metals that can leach into water sources. One way to solve this problem now is to buy durable equipment that won’t need to be frequently replaced. Keep your computers and appliances useful for as long as possible.
2.Segregate & Recycle
Segregating waste into biodegradables, non-biodegradables, recyclables, toxics, etc. as RA 9003 requires will help streamline your waste management methods. Non-pathogenic bio-degradables can be composted or digested and turned into organic fertilizer and fuel. Metals, wood, glass and plastics may be sold to junk shops or a Materials Recovery Facility to be used as raw materials for new products. Integrated Waste Management Inc., for example, accepts mould runners for recycling. Better yet, find ways to recycle your own waste so you can save on production and disposal costs. You can establish a take-back system for your customers since you know best how to recycle and dispose your own products.
We can’t get rid of waste completely--everything else that’s left after this has to be compacted and brought to landfills or, in the case of hazardous wastes, stored in large containers. Let’s just hope that by the time all the landfills of the world are filled up, we’ll have wised up and learned to make reusable, recyclable and non-toxic products.