The problem of solid waste is in the headlines again.
With stories like the Baguio (Irisan) trash slide, the Olongapo trash slide and the flooding in Metro Manila and central Luzon aggravated by the fact that our rivers and canals are full of trash, the problem of solid waste is being confronted once again, both at the local and national level.
Sadly, instead of promoting ecological alternatives (there are plenty of success stories out there), certain groups and even media personalities are promoting fake solutions to something that is not even a problem in the first place.
The things that we throw away are not waste, they are resources if we only manage them properly.
Sadly, people are after quick "solutions" like incineration. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said he is open to reviving incineration as a way to address the problem of waste. DENR Secretary Ramon Paje is said to be to open to discussing it (thou he claims he was misquoted).
Ms. Karen Davila of ABS-CBN has been promoting it as a "practical solution," calling groups against it as "idealist." But are groups who are against incinerators really just idealist?
21 September 2011, Quezon City. Environment health leaders commended the Manila City Council for unanimously passing yesterday a resolution that effectively nipped in the bud proposal to burn Metro Manila’s trash.
Through a resolution sponsored by Councilor Numero Lim of Manila’s second district, councilors from various political blocs expressed "strong and vehement opposition" to the use of incinerators as proposed by the Metro Manila Development Authority for garbage disposal.
Read more »
A comment from one of my posts, which I think is very important:
Last year, European government leaders agreed to a 30% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Now, with the downturn in the economy, that deal is under threat and they are offering a 20% percent reduction.
As a result, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and World Wildlife Fund through the coordination of the Climate Action Network (CAN) formed the campaign Time to Lead . Time to Lead is a movement that urges European citizens and organisations to act by contacting local legislators and issuing support of the 30 percent reduction in Europe’s own carbon emissions by 2020. Citizens act by joining the ‘call to action’ at http://www.timetolead.eu/.
ILOILO CITY, Philippines—Five Congressmen have urged the House of Representatives to support the stand of officials and residents of Guimaras against mining operations on the island-province.
House Resolution 841, filed on Oct. 10, calls on the chamber to support the opposition of Guimarasnons against the entry and operations of mining companies.
The resolution was sponsored by Guimaras Rep. JC Rahman Nava, Bayan Muna Representatives Satur Ocampo and Teodoro Casiño, Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan and Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano.
In the resolution, the congressmen described the island as rich in natural resources and one of the pristine popular tourist destinations in the country.
Click here to read the complete story.
Adapted from "The Green Guide" #77, The Green Guide Institute.
With all the recent press about plastics leaching harmful chemicals into food, we want to be sure we’re using the safest materials in our children’s lunchboxes.
Get the scoop on which plastics are safe to use right here:
Chemicals that leach from plastic containers into food include suspected carcinogens or endocrine disrupters, which have been linked to reproductive system harm. Plastic used for containers can be identified by their recycling codes, as listed in this article.
Most wraps on pre-packaged foods lack identifying symbols. Here is a great list from The Green Guide Institute from which you can tell at a glance the plastics that are safe for food storage and those that aren’t:
As a precaution, you can unwrap these foods and store them in nontoxic glass, ceramic or steel bowls, or Ziploc bags (made of LDPE). Heat promotes leaching:
To be safest, never microwave or heat foods in plastics.
1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET): No known hazards.
2. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE): No known hazards.
3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or vinyl): Plasticizers are added to many PVC products to make them flexible. These include phthalates — suspected endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), DEHA, another possible EDC, was found to leach from PVC cling wraps into cheese. Grocery stores commonly use PVC to wrap deli meats and cheeses. Reyonds cling wrap is PVC. Some waters and vegetable oils are bottled in PVC. Ad PVC’s manufacture and incineration produces highly toxic dioxins, as does the PVDC used in Saran Wrap, according to Consumers Union.
4. Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE): No known hazards.
5. Polypropylene (PP): No known hazards.
6. Polystyrene (PS or Styrofoam): Made from styrene, a suspected carcinogen, PS also contains p-nonylphenol; both chemicals are suspected EDCs. Do not consumer fatty foods or alcoholic beverages from Styrofoam containers; styrene can leach into these substances. Some opaque plastic cutlery is PS, as well.
7. Other Resins, including Polycarbonate (PC): Most clear plastic baby bottles and 5-gallon water bottles are made of PC. Bisphenol-A EDC in PC, has been found in water and heated infant formulas bottles in PC, as well as food cans lined with a plastic film.
For some more great tips on how and why to reduce your use of plastics –and for which ones are the biggest concern for your health and the environment — read these new guidelines from The Green Guide Institute .
This article was reprinted from “The Green Guide” newsletter, a publication of The Green Guide Institute. Since 1994, “The Green Guide” has been a premier consumer source for practical everyday actions benefiting environmental and personal health. Want more practical solutions that benefit the environment and personal health? Subscribe online to The Green Guide.
Choose your water bottles very carefully in order to prevent chemicals in the plastic from leaching into your water.
Plastic water bottles are very convenient for carting water around when we are on the go, as they don't break if we drop them. However, it is worth paying attention to the type of plastic your water bottle is made of, to ensure that the chemicals in the plastic do not leach into the water. If you taste plastic, you are drinking it, so get yourself another bottle.
To be certain that you are choosing a bottle that does not leach, check the recycling symbol on your bottle. If it is a #2 HDPE (high density polyethylene), or a #4 LDPE (low density polyethylene), or a #5 PP (polypropylene), your bottle is fine. The type of plastic bottle in which water is usually sold is usually a #1, and is only recommended for one time use. Do not refill it. Better to use a reusable water bottle, and fill it with your own filtered water from home and keep these single-use bottles out of the landfill.
Unfortunately, those fabulous colourful hard plastic lexan bottles made with polycarbonate plastics and identified by the #7 recycling symbol, may leach BPA. Bisphenol A is a xenoestrogen, a known endocrine disruptor, meaning it disturbs the hormonal messaging in our bodies. Synthetic xenoestrogens are linked to breast cancer and uterine cancer in women, decreased testosterone levels in men, and are particularly devastating to babies and young children. BPA has even been linked to insulin resistance and Type 2 Diabetes. For more of the science on the effects of BPA on our endocrine system etc. see these studies: Environmental Health Perspectives Journal. Nalgene, the company that manufactures the lexan water bottles also makes #2 HDPE bottles in the same sizes and shapes, so we have a viable alternative.
Unfortunately, most plastic baby bottles and drinking cups are made with plastics containing Bisphenol A. In 2006 Europe banned all products made for children under age 3 containing BPA, and as of Dec. 2006 the city of San Franscisco followed suit. In March 2007 a billion-dollar class action suit was commenced against Gerber, Playtex, Evenflo, Avent, and Dr. Brown's in Los Angeles superior court for harm done to babies caused by drinking out of baby bottles and sippy cups containing BPA. So, to be certain that your baby is not exposed, use glass bottles.
Check the recycling numbers on all your plastic food containers as well, and gradually move to storing all food in glass or ceramic.
Store water in glass or brass if possible, and out of direct sunlight.
From http://trusted.md/blog/vreni_gurd/2007/03/29/plastic_water_bottles
Why are most plastics marked with a number inside a recycling symbol? The simple answer is that each number represents the type of resin made to produce the plastic.
Because each resin is different, these numbers affect how and where you can recycle plastics. You don’t have to remember the name. Plastics are identified by numbers 1-7.
Here’s some common products you’ll find of each type:
#1 PET (Polyethylene terephthalate)*: soda bottles, oven-ready meal trays and water bottles
#2 HDPE (High-density polyethylene)*: milk bottles, detergent bottles and grocery/trash/retail bags
#3 PVC (Polyvinyl chloride): plastic food wrap, loose-leaf binders and plastic pipes
#4 LDPE (Low-density polyethylene): dry cleaning bags, produce bags and squeezable bottles
#5 PP (Polypropylene): medicine bottles, aerosol caps and drinking straws
#6 PS (Polystyrene): compact disc jackets, packaging Styrofoam peanuts and plastic tableware
#7 Other: reusable water bottles, certain kinds of food containers and Tupperware
*PET and HDPE are the most common forms of plastic, so they are the easiest to find recycling locations for
From www.earth911.org
We currently live in the 'Plastics Age' with a total consumption of about 182 million tonnes of polymers per year. Of this, polypropylene is 24 t
o 25 per cent and all polyethylenes, about 40 per cent. This industry has grown phenomenally in the last century. Its growth within this period will be of interest to many.
Human race has always progressed by using raw materials around. Growth from 'Stone Age' to 'Plastics Age' has been very rapid. Use of plastics within the last century and in particular, after World War II has increased exponentially.
Plastic is not a uniformly defined term. Its origin is from the Greek word 'Plasticos', which means 'to form or mould'.
Plastics can broadly be defined or described as materials composed essentially of very large molecules (called macromolecules or polymers) which may be natural, semi natural (modified natural) or synthesised from small molecules, termed as monomers.
At times, plastics and polymers are used as synonyms in the colloquial world. Some prefer to differentiate the two by defining plastics as made by compounding polymer and additives. Polyvinyl chloride is a polymer, but when compounded with a plasticiser and the thermal stabiliser, it may be termed as a plastic.
Some polymers may not need any additives and these can be used as such in their virgin form. It is preferable to use the word polymer instead of plastic, as the word polymer denotes big or giant molecules. 'Poly' means many and 'mer' indicates substance.
Classification of Polymers
Polymers can be classified based on their end uses or origin of raw materials.
Classification based on End-uses
This type of classification also highlights different market and key properties depending upon specific use. Thus, adhesives need totally different properties from materials used as consumer goods like packaging films, ice cream cups, paints or moulded furniture.
Thermoset Polymers: Thermosets were the early polymers made synthetically. The first totally synthetic polymer, Phenol, Formaldehyde was, in fact, thermoset in nature, its moulding powder, polyurethane foams used in sofa seats, automobile seats or the 'setting adhesives' are examples of thermoset resins. Thermoset materials 'set' when heated (thermal effect). One can imagine boiling of an egg. The yolk becomes hard or it is 'set'. Once it is set, it cannot be reprocessed again. It does not become liquid again.
Thermoplastic Polymers: Thermoplastic materials melt when heated and can be shaped as desired. They can be reheated and melted several times. Polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, nylon, polyester and PVC are examples of thermoplastic polymers. Today, production of thermoplastic polymer is several times that of thermoset polymers.
Rubber: Rubber can be natural or synthetic, such as styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, nitrile rubber, silicone rubber or isoprene. The high impact is the key property for rubber.
Fibers: Polymers for fibers need different properties as compared to rubber or thermoplastics used in furniture or in milk packaging. Fibers have textile and non-textile applications. For textile applications, dyeability, washability, lightness and comfort on feel are major properties; while that for non-textile use, solvent resistance or tenacity may be of importance. Polyester and nylon are commonly used in textile applications, whereas polypropylene has properties suitable for non textile use.
Adhesives: These polymers must have a good adhesion between different substrates and good bonding strength. It should be easy to apply on the surface. Poly vinyl alcohol, epoxy polymers or cyno acrylic polymers are examples of adhesives.
Paints and Inks: These polymers should have a film forming ability, good flow properties and sufficient tack to the surface on which they are applied. They should be able to incorporate large quantities of pigments. Inks on paper or plastics have different properties. Alkyd polymers, polyesters, epoxy polymers or amino polymers are common examples.
Classification of Polymers based on Origin of Raw Materials
Polymers can be classified based upon their origin, as:
Natural Polymers: These occur as macromolecules or polymers in their natural form. Cellulose, starch, sugar, lignin etc. have plant origin. Other materials such as shellac, wool etc. have animal origin. All these materials are natural polymers. They exist in nature. It is interesting to know that different starches behave differently due to difference in their spatial structure although their chemical formulae are the same.
Semi-Natural or Modified Natural Polymers: Most natural polymers cannot be used in their virgin or native form, but can be chemically modified. Thus, cellulose when treated chemically (acetylated) yields cellulose acetate, which can be spun into fibre, extruded or injection moulded. Carboxy methyl cellulose, CMC, dissolves in water but cellulose itself does not. Thus, cellulose acetate or CMC can be classified as semi-natural polymers.
Synthetic Polymers: These are made from monomers through a chemical reaction, called polymerisation. Polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, polyester etc. are examples of synthetic polymers. Although synthetic polymers outnumber natural polymers, the total quantum of natural polymers is far greater than synthetic polymers.
(Source: Prof. D.D. Kale, Ex-HOD, Polymer Department, UICT, Mumbai)
I recently gave a talk on Environmental Protection and Preservation to the faculty and students of College of Immaculate Conception in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. It's a month long celebration of CIC's Social Responsibility with the theme "Kalikasan Ating Kinabukasan... Kilos na! (KKK).
It was a challenging talk. I usually have my trusted PowerPoint Presentation with me, but this time, I have to do without it... almost. Because there were about 2000 students, the only venue that is available is the open gymnasium with broad daylight that made LCD projection almost impossible. But, as one teacher aptly put it, it was a blessing in disguise as the students were forced to use their creative imagination as I describe my set of photos.
What I initially feared as a challenging talk turned out to be one of my most memorable talks to ever give. The students were all excellent, they were all cooperative and participative despite the technical glitches and the heat.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the entire CIC community for the warm welcome you have afforded me. I hope something positive will come out of this event. I'm looking forward to seeing CIC be the first plastic-free school in Cabanatuan and in Nueva Ecija.
DENR to consider Guimaras objections to mining
By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.
Visayas Bureau
First Posted 19:01:00 08/19/2008
JORDAN, Guimaras — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has assured Guimaras officials and residents that it would consider their objections in evaluating applications for mining exploration on the island.
Lormelyn Claudio, DENR regional executive director, said on Monday the opposition of Guimaras officials to mining would be a factor in the approval or disapproval of at least four applications for mining on the 60,000-hectare island.
“If the local government is against it, we have to consider that,” Claudio said in a press conference here at the launching of the Guimaras Integrated Coastal Management Program.
Claudio said the opposition to mining in the province has also been upheld by the Regional Development Council of Western Visayas.
Under current rules, mining applications do not need approval or endorsement of the local government units.
The province, still recovering from a massive oil spill that ravaged the island in 2006, has stepped up its campaign against mining applications. Guimaras Governor Felipe Nava said in the same press conference that an information campaign on the effects of mining has been started by anti-mining advocates in the villages of the province’s five municipalities.
The provincial government earlier displayed stickers and banners emblazoned with “Spare Guimaras” to highlight their call not to allow mining on the island. Nava said that pending applications for mining would cover around 65 percent of the province, including watershed areas. The 1,143-hectare Taklong Island National Marine Reserve (Tinmar) is also part of the area covered by the applications. The marine reserve is located in Nueva Valencia, the hardest hit of the province’s five towns.
“We ask government to spare us. Guimaras is a small province and mining would destroy us,” said Nava. The people of Guimaras voiced out their opposition to the mining exploration application of Fil-Asian Strategic Resources and Properties Corp. (FASRPC).
The (FASRPC), a subsidiary of the Australia-based Rusina Mining NL, plans to conduct exploration for gold and copper deposits in a 2,400-hectare area covering nine of the 20 villages of Nueva Valencia.
The straw is the most stupid invention, and only stupid people use stupid invention.
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Did you know?
Every issue of the Inquirer is already made from 100% recycled paper. But if every Inquirer reader recycled their newspapers for one year, we would save an additional 3.4 million trees, 840 million kilowatt hours of energy, and 78 million gallons of oil.
I am not promoting Inquirer here, but just imagine the number of trees, amount of energy and gallons of oil - just for one newspaper. And there are a lot of other newspapers!!!
I hope you will do something good to the next newspaper that you will read. No, make it, to all the papers that you will use.
REDUCE. REUSE. RECYCLE. In that order.
Or if you read PDI, support their NewPaper Drive.
For Metro Manila pick up, call Carpel at 430-0656/ 430-8411. For Laguna area, call 897-4386 local 2126. Cebu: (032) 232-0009 and Davao: (082) 244-1711.
Or look for a local junk or recycler in your area. Contact the local DENR for information.
Choose REUSABLE! Why? Watch this video and see why.
Sometimes we assume that when choosing between paper and plastic, paper is the better choice. Yes, better may be but definitely not the best choice. Yes, paper comes from a renewable resource and is biodegradable - traits no shared by plastics. Still, we have to remember that these things all came from somewhere. And do we know where? Please do watch this video and discover these amazing facts:
World's Paper use has increased five fold since the 1960's
Per capita paper use is (kg/day/person) 324 in Finland, 297 in the US, 50 in Thailand and 2 in Cambodia (World average is 54)
Half of all the paper produced is used for packaging
Only 1/3 is used for writing or printing, mostly for advertising
In the US alone, 20 billion catalogs are being distributed every year and
90 billion Junk mails are being sent ot every year
The Pulp and paper industry is No. 1 in freshwater use
5th industry in energy use
3rd industry in emitting green house gasses
And a lot more!
So the next time you use a piece of paper, remember these facts.
How can we help? Well, aside from forcing the government and the industry to change, we can helping our own little way by:
1. First and foremost, reducing our paper use.
2. Second, reuse what we can. The other side maybe, or that envelope? Everything!
3. Recycle after. In the Philippines, we have to import used paper for recycling because not many people segregate their waste paper for recycling. Remember, keep it dry and clean!
Watch out for specific tips on how to reduce your paper waste in my next posts.
This is a repost from my Friendster blog.
I wrote this article when my beloved hometown - the island of Guimaras was struck with the worst oil spill in Philippine history. This article was subsequently published in some national newspapers, reposted on various websites and blogs and passed around various egroups.
***
I will forever be proud of being a Guimarasnon. More than the sweetest mangoes in the world and the most pristine beaches, more than the rich marine resources and endangered species like the turtles and the dugong, I take pride in the warm and resilient people of Guimaras.
I always dream of letting the world know of my beautiful hometown, of reading it the headlines of news papers, and of seeing on TV. But I never thought that this dream would turn into a nightmare. Finally, we are on the news. In fact, we are the news. We finally have a place in the history of this country – for having one of the worst (or the worst, incase the remaining oil would leak out) oil spill in the country.
I cried when I heard the news. I am not sure if I cried because of the oil spill and its effects, or because of how everyone reacted (or their silence). It’s sad when some would worry about the possibility of the spill reaching Boracay, when they have a disaster in front of them. It’s sad to know that our Coast Guard does not have the capabilities to respond to these emergencies. It’s sad to know that it would take more than a week for our national government to respond, only to say this is more than we can handle.
It’s sad to know that this oil spill is partly caused by an incompetent ship captain – causing damage to an island where some people are successful sea farers abroad. And it is sad for Petron to say that technically it is the responsibility of shipping company to clean up the mess. It sounded as if the people of Guimaras owe it to Petron for helping in the clean up of this mess. They are willing to share in the profits, but we owe it to them when they respond to the consequences of their negligence.
And the saddest story of all, after a few weeks of publicity, the world will forget the story of Guimaras. And we will forget whatever lessons we have learned from this tragedy – despite the fact that we have to pay a very high price to learn this lesson. Will the people of Guimaras get justice? Will we pass legislations to ensure that this never happen again? The future is darker than the oil spilled on the beaches of this island.
What is for sure is that the affected communities will definitely suffer for years – from lost livelihood to health problems, and for a home ravaged to point where it never will be where it was once. We are a happy people in a poor province. We see our roads paved one kilometer every election year, if we’re lucky. We have a barangay that does not have a budget, and thus no health center, no day care and other social services. We have seen our lands and beaches sold to foreigners. But we will always have hope, and we will remain to be just like our mangoes – the sweetest in the world.
I cried. But that’s not the end of it.
Froilan Grate
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