“Waste Incineration as Waste Management Approach in the Philippines”

Disposal of waste is a widespread and pressing problem in both urban and rural areas in
view of the fact that countries tend to increase their production for economic development. It is
an issue that affects many aspects in life and in the environment. In this argumentative paper,
Ateneo graduates, Lambojon et al. brought into focus the poor waste management in the
Philippines and how waste incineration is the best solution considering that this approach
unquestionably makes waste management much more productive and simpler. In this paper, the
authors emphasized that despite the arguments against waste incineration, the benefits we could
get still outweigh the drawbacks. Putting into emphasis the desirability of reducing energy
consumption along with the increasing production of waste, it is necessary to apply a waste
management approach that can reduce volume and energy recovery. As stated by Kwak (2018),
Incinerators reduce waste volume by approximately 95 percent and reduce the solid mass of the
original waste by 80 percent to 85 percent. Therefore, while incineration does not eliminate the
need for dumping ground completely, it certainly reduces the amount of land needed. Developing
countries like the Philippines have a pursuit for economic growth that has resulted in the
fluctuation of manufacture, distribution, and use of products. As reported by Castillo and Otoma
(2013), about 35,580 tons of garbage is generated every day in the Philippines and only 40-85%
of the waste generated is collected nationwide, implying that 15-60% is improperly disposed of
or littered. With that being said, it is evident that waste management is a relevant and pressing
issue not only to the country itself, but to the environment and health of the people as it has a
serious effect on soil, water, and air pollution that not only has a contribution to the creation a
greenhouse gas effects but also causes significant harm to the environment. An article by
Conserve Energy future (n.d.) stated that a lot of countries incorporated the heat and energy
produced from waste incinerators for the generation of power by using steam turbines as it can
be used to power the needs of people living nearby. Moreover, according to the Energy Recovery
Council (n.d), there are currently 86 waste-to-energy facilities in the United States, they provide
2,700 MW of clean electricity in about 2 million homes. Due to modernization, the costs of
energy since the 1950s continuously increases, pushing numerous countries to incorporate the
energy and heat generated from garbage incinerators. The republic act No. 8749, also known as
Philippine clean air act and republic act No. 9003 hinders the use of incinerators in the
philippines as it aims to achieve and maintain healthy air for all filipinos. With the current
problem, it would be better for the government to revise the act and make an exemption that
would allow the use of incinerators. In addition to this, A report by Waste Incineration & Public
Health (2000) states that fabric filters are widely used today in incineration facilities and modern
municipal solid-waste incinerators are equipped for particulate, acid gas, and in many cases,
dioxin and mercury removal in order to steer clear of the hazardous gases these filterless
incinerators emit.

Summary

Incinerators are facilities that treat waste by burning it and turning it into ashes, flue gas
and heat. In line with this, problems such as the piling up of waste in landfills sites across the
major metropolitan cities in the country like Metro Manila are one of the major issues that the
country should address. Thus, Lambojon et al. proposed that Waste Incineration is a solution to
this growing problem. However, the use of this kind of approach has its drawbacks. Firt, the use
of incinerators is expensive due to its advanced technology and high cost of operation. Even so,
with the equivalent waste-to-energy recovery these machines could create, the cost eventually
becomes ineffectual. The other disadvantages are the accumulation of pollution and the potential
harm to the health of the people and the environment. Regardless of these risks, advancements in
technology made various equipment to treat the incineration process and assure that the ash
would be environmentally safe. Contrarily, the authors also emphasized that the utilization of
waste incineration could be the solution to the waste management problem in the Philippines
while simultaneously reducing the need for landfills. Lastly, energy-from waste is an effective
way to solve multiple problems such as lack of power and landfills. To sum up, Lambojon and
the rest of the authors concluded that Waste Incineration is the best option for the Philippines'
growing problems of waste management seeing that despite all the arguments against waste
incineration, the benefits outweigh these said risks and drawbacks.

Evaluation

The authors of the argumentative paper presented numerous positive and negative results
of using waste incineration to effectively manage waste. It shows the authors ’approval of its
implementation because it will solve the country’s current power shortage and further develop
the economy. Moreover, the paper is considered as credible through the reference of various
papers, reports, and articles from valid and reliable sources. As for the title, it served as the
summary of the main idea about the article of using waste incineration even if it is beneficial or
harmful. In addition, the explanations given are short and concise that readers of different levels
can easily understand and comprehend the text. The paper strongly recommends the use of waste
incineration in the Philippines which could help the country to solve the current power shortage
and help economic development. The counter arguments presented in this paper is that waste
incinerators are really expensive in terms of building the structure itself, cost of its full
operations and the dangerous toxic gas level that will be released when the incinerators are
burning trash or waste. But nevertheless, the authors have done an amazing study even though
there is a mix of positive and as well as negative results but the text itself uses credible sources
for its bases and well discussed opposite arguments, we can say that incinerators is the best
solution for the country’s growing problem of waste management for the meantime.

Response
 This portion contains the views of the critics of the argumentative text. First and
foremost, the critics concur with incorporating the positive and negative effects of using waste
incineration as waste management in the Philippines, which will allow the author to use an
approach that covers all aspects of the topic that evinces the stance of the author. Moreover, the
presented pro arguments are considered convincing for the eyes of the readers since it is
supported by further studies that have a reliable source of information that makes the article
more credible. The arguments about waste incineration whether it will help our country be more
energy efficient may necessarily be true. It is, however, if our government would allow it to be
used. Waste incineration could contribute energy from those wastes that can be converted into
electricity. As support to this, in a study by Deshpande (2015), it can reduce waste by up to 90%,
and at the same time, recover fuel gas for lighting and electricity. This would support the claim
that waste incineration is beneficial in the country to help the economy boost its power supply.
However, the counter arguments are lacking the support of the studies presented. The authors’
weak point in this article is that it can easily be rebutted since it lacks emphasis. Lastly, the
author concluded that those who prefer using waste incineration can help the country in daily life
especially in energy use. Nowadays, our country needs a huge amount of energy supply because
of the increasing demand for energy due to new applications that are used daily. The critics
presume that the better implementation of waste management is by using waste incineration, it is
evident that this method can generate waste management alternatives that are beneficial to the
country to have energy production.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the argumentative paper effectively presented how the authors tackled the
idea of waste management through waste incineration in the Philippines. All claims, propositions
and main points were put together thoughtfully through evidently meticulous research, backed
with factual data and thorough analysis from credible sources to emphasize the validity of the
entire work. The authors successfully convinced its audience to have a positive opinion on the
idea of the nation’s implementation of waste incineration due to the stated comparably more vast
benefits it would bring, namely an improvement on the country’s power shortage and economy.
This means that if the Philippines were to switch to a different means of waste management, this
paper would help its readers choose to back up the plan of waste incineration more than others
because of the significant information and persuasion shown in favoring it. However, a debate
could arise because the paper lacked emphasis on concrete counter-claims nor a feasibility study
to support the authors' claims. If it were to be improved upon, it would be better to state more
relevant facts and instances, both for the pros and cons of waste incineration in the Philippines,
instead of just theorizing its effectiveness in the country relative to the different cases in other
nations. The Philippines' possibility of turning to waste incineration for waste management is not
far-fetched, but it would take more than just comparisons to let the audience fully be on board
and not just inclined to this idea.
References

Kwak, P. (2018). The Advantages of a Solid Waste Incinerator.

Retrieved from
https://sciencing.com/advantages-solid-waste-incinerator-8367212.html

Castillo, A., & Otoma, S. (2013). Status of Solid Waste Management in the Philippines
Retrieved from
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jsmcwm/24/0/24_677/_pdf

Conserve Energy future (n.d.). What is Waste Incineration?

Retrieved from
https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-incineration
.php

Energy Recovery Council’s Waste-to-Energy website. (n.d)

Retrieved from
http://ledsgp.org/resource/energy-recovery-councils-waste-to-energy
website/?loclang=en_gb

Waste Incineration and Public Health. (2000)

Retrieved from
https://www.nap.edu/read/5803/chapter/1

Desphande, R.P. (2015). Electricity From Garbage

Retrieved from
https://www.electricalindia.in/electricity-from-garbage/