Figure 13. Simulated cumulative bags of composts under Scenarios A and C Figure 14. Simulated cumulative volume of recovered recyclable waste under Scenarios B and C 28 A Geographic Information Systems Decision-Based ..............
The practice of treating uncollected waste through backyard burning not only contribute to <strong>the</strong> amount of greenhouse gasses that causes global warming but also release some toxic substances into <strong>the</strong> atmosp<strong>here</strong> leaving a toxic residue in <strong>the</strong> air. Since <strong>the</strong>re will be a reduction in <strong>the</strong> amount of uncollected waste or zero uncollected waste by year 2015 (Scenario C), burning will eventually ceased. Tuguegarao City will <strong>the</strong>n be free of residual ash and unburnable residues that are usually taken into <strong>the</strong> dumpsite for disposal. The residual ash contains a variety of toxic components that make it an environmental hazard if not disposed of properly. The Environmental Protection Agency has found alarming high levels of dioxins, furans, lead, and cadmium in burned ash. This must also be true to <strong>the</strong> burned waste in Tuguegarao City especially so because <strong>the</strong> burned waste contains plastics and used batteries. These toxic materials are even more concentrated in fly ash (lighter, airborne p<strong>article</strong>s capable of penetrating deep into <strong>the</strong> lungs) than in heavy bottom ash. Recycling is usually a better alternative to ei<strong>the</strong>r dumping or burning waste. It saves money, energy and land space while also reducing pollution. It encourages individual awareness and responsibility for <strong>the</strong> refuse produced. However, recycling and composting programs will only be successful through behavioral change by <strong>the</strong> city residents. Segregation of waste is <strong>the</strong> key factor followed by a change in <strong>the</strong> lifestyle. Programs on recycle, reuse and reduce are very important and should be supported by <strong>the</strong> city government. City government should implement no-use of plastics or simply use of biodegradable as bagging material in commercial establishments and in market. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS A Decision Support System (DSS) was developed to analyze and simulate <strong>the</strong> future scenarios of <strong>the</strong> solid waste management of J.B. Guzman Tuguegarao City using GIS and Stella modeling software. The primary and secondary data and information collected were population, per capita waste generation, average annual growth rates of population and solid waste composition in order to analyze and predict <strong>the</strong> total volume of waste generated and <strong>the</strong> corresponding volume of compostable, recyclable, collected, uncollected waste and compost. The four sources of solid waste were households, commercial establishments, institutions, and markets each generating at a rate of 1,012 m3, 384 m3, 209 m3 and 122 m3 of solid waste weekly that is equivalent to total waste generation at a rate of 1,745 m3/ wk.The waste composition per identifiable item was 279 m3 (16%) paper, 105 m3 (6%) plastic containers, 70 m3 (4%) metals, 70 m3 (4%) glass, 279 m3 (16%) yard waste, 506 m3 (29%) food waste, 122 m3 (7%) o<strong>the</strong>r organics, 209 m3 (12%) o<strong>the</strong>r plastics, 70 m3 (4%) inert, 17 m3 (1%) hazardous waste and 17 m3 (1%) special waste. The paper, plastic containers, metals, and glass were classified as recyclable waste (30%); <strong>the</strong> yard waste, food waste, and o<strong>the</strong>r organics were classified as compostable waste (52%); while <strong>the</strong> inert, hazardous waste, and special waste were <strong>the</strong> residual waste (18%). The DSS was used to search for best waste management options reflecting trend of future scenarios. Three among <strong>the</strong>se scenarios were; Scenario A which is <strong>the</strong> composting of market compostable waste, Scenario B which is <strong>the</strong> recycling of institutional waste in addition to Scenario A, and Scenario C which is <strong>the</strong> composting and recycling of waste in all sectors. Considering <strong>the</strong> problem on <strong>the</strong> low recovery of waste, <strong>the</strong> composting and recycling activities was proposed. Composting of market waste (Scenario A) could result to a conversion of compostable market waste from 92 m3/ wk to 237 m3/wk while recycling institutional waste (Scenario B) could result to a recovery of institutional waste from 171 m3/wk to 225 m3/ 29
Change language