Solusyon sa basura?

KITANG TANAN... ATONG KAMOT... ATONG PANINGKAMOT!!

We are the problem, yet thankfully, we are also the solution.

If we truly want to solve the garbage problem where we are, we have to be involved as well.

We need to commit our time and effort contributing to waste avoidance, reduction, segregation and participative/inclusive, more eco-budget friendly waste management.

First and foremost, we need to recognize, accept that garbage comes from our hands, that all of us are responsible for the garbage problem because we just throw garbage indiscriminately, irresponsibly, without segregation.

Our personal garbage added to the other waste items of those in our household (and of those in our communities of residence, work, education, worship, recreation, more) increase the waste volume.

Our own handful of garbage grows into a smokey, stinking waste mountain. Not only does the waste volume increase. Costs accelerate as well.

The trip from the garbage in our hands to the waste mountain is costly, needing garbage trucks, gasoline, spare parts, laborers, hauling fees and more.

Productive land becomes the residence of garbage, rather than homes for people or gardens/farms for food.

Communities are exposed to health and risks resulting from the unstoppable growing waste mountain.

The environment and our earth are compromised by water, land air pollution from the wastes!

Remember to never forget Binaliw where our own unsegregated garbage was part of that trash slide that buried and killed 36.

After recognizing and accepting that garbage comes from our hands, then the garbage solution should be as clear as any sunny day!

We can, with our hands, avoid/reduce/segregate waste instead of continuing with our irresponsible practice of throwing kitchen/food wastes, paper, plastics, cans, bottles, other trash just anywhere, without sorting out, without segregation!

How many times do we need to be reminded that if only we segregate our waste (we, our households and communities/churches/parishes/schools/businesses/others), less will be collected and disposed, less need for disposal site, less need for expensive trips, less budget and expense for garbage, more budget/funds instead for people, especially our needy?

If we manage our kitchen/food/biodegradable wastes alone, 50-60% of urban waste will not need to be sent to any landfill!

Imagine all the budget and environment/health costs saved – if only we will commit to use our two hands to segregate waste each day!!!

Furthermore, if we commit and practice composting our kitchen/food wastes (in every household, every community/church/schools/offices/businesses/others), imagine again how much you and everyone else can save from your own fresh and healthy vegetables/herbs grown in your own backyard and communities!

With the Middle East military and oil crisis continuing, having your own kitchen/food waste composted gardens will assure you of your own free, steady supply of healthy garden food!

You can cook your garden vegetables with used paper uling or charcoal that you all can easily make each day.

Then imagine some more how much you can save because you do not have to buy cooking kerosene that will surely get more expensive/difficult to buy if the ME crisis continues!

Then plastic wastes you can exchange for cash/kind as practiced now in Barangay Luz where 5 kilos of recyclable plastic (eco bricks/assorted plastics) are exchanged for 1 kilo of rice/other goods!!!

Why not have more of these basura tabo or basura markets in every community, parish, school, office, others on a regular basis?

Those who practice waste segregation should be IMMEDIATELY rewarded, given incentives NOW for contributing to eco-friendlier/participative and inclusive waste/budget/environment management!

Calling again on Mayor Nestor, other LGU officials to offer rewards NOW NA please (in cash/kind) to those who will bring:

a) their food/kitchen/biodegrable wastes to their barangay designated area for composting;

b) plastic wastes/ecobricks;

c) paper wastes for paper recycling or producing paper uling or charcoal; and

d) other waste types (cans, bottles, metals etc).