From trash to triumph: A Malabon barangay’s campaign against waste

By JAYFERSON B. COMITAN In Malabon City, Barangay Potrero processes around 500 kilograms of wet and dry waste every day through a community-based segregation program to reduce the volume of trash sent to dumpsites. “Sa isang household, nalaman natin na 60 percent ng basura ay nabubulok, 15 percent ay recyclables, at ang natitira ay residuals [...] May 75% tayo na pwedeng mapakinabangan,” Kagawad Khate Nolasco told the Manila Bulletin (In one household, we found out that 60 percent of the waste is biodegradable, 15 percent is recyclable, and the rest are residuals [...] We have 75% that can still be put to good use). **media[90640]** The solid waste management program began after a pilot project in 2014 in partnership with the Mother Earth Foundation, addressing the barangay’s looming garbage problems in adherence to Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, a law that establishes a systematic, comprehensive, and environmentally sound approach to managing solid waste. All of their systems are centered in the Potrero’s Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). After the pilot proved effective, more streets adopted the program, until waste management became a barangay-wide practice. How does solid waste management work in Potrero? Nolasco said the Ladies Brigade Monitoring team conducts Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns to teach residents about proper waste segregation, handing out posters as guides. They also make sure everyone follows the segregation process and give warnings or fines of ₱500 to those who do not comply. Reynaldo Ferrer, 49, one of the ‘Potrero Waste Warrior’ collectors, starts his day going from house to house to pick up waste, accompanied by the monitoring team. Alminda Barbin joins the collectors to monitor the process. After collecting the trash, they bring it to the barangay’s bioreactor facility. **media[90639]** At the facility, Ferrer...