ENVIRONMENT AND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT SecTiON ONE: Tue PxysicaL ENVIRONMENT Maintaining a balanced environment is essential to the continuance of life. When we destroy or allow the destruction of the environment, we contribute to the destruction ofall life forms here on earth. GENERAL OBJECTIVES 1. The students should be able to gain important knowledge on the various aspects of the physical environment. 2. The students should be able to identify the causes and effects of environmental Tue Concept oF ENVIRONMENT 1. Environment refers to everything that surrounds us. It includes the natural world as well as the things produced by humans. N Ecology is the study of how living things interact and depend on each other. 3. Ecosystem pertains to the symbiotic relationship between organisms and species within one particular area in which each depends on each other in order to support the continuance of life. It is composed of the living and non-living — components. Ecosystems are found in the various sections of the natural environment which ° include: forests, deserts, grasslands, freshwater, marine areas, and even caves. problems. 3. The students should be able and put into to present practice ways of combating environmental problems. CONTENTS The Physical Environment Air and Climate Change . Water Resources Repo |. Solid Waste Management LET'S TALK 1. Why are some people so concemed with keeping crocodiles from extinction? agree that rich countries must take — the most responsibilities for the 2. Do you problems oniclimate change? REFERENCE TEXT IN NSTP - CWTSof specics of plants and animal. species existing within differ, : bility to the environment, lL 4. Biodiversity refers to the number o! 4 given community. The variety of ecosystems provide protection and sta involving the transfer of eng,,, ganisms need nourishment from wn Energy flow pertains to the proces from one source to another. Living 0! ji s ‘ ate rder to have g different sources like sunlight, food and wee asi natural fun ch energy to stay in existence and perform their 5a foots S since they produce food 4" ants are generally cred as producer st lor Plants are generally consider I ‘ considered as consumers, other organisms, Animals are generall: ‘ation of Consumers a. Herbivores, Consumers that feed only on pla b. Carnivores. Consumers that feed only on meats from other animals c. Omnivores. Consumers that eat both plants and meat from animals d. Decomposers. Consumers that get their food by breaking down dead organisms and provide nourishment to plants : nts 6. Succession is a regular pattern of changes over time in the types of species in a certain ecosystem. The process of change may take hundreds or thousands of years. Various factors may cause the process of succession like reduction or lost of the sources of nourishment anc destruction of the natural habitat. The final or stable community that j left undisturbed is called.the climax community. Levets oF ORGANIZATION WITHIN AN ECOSYSTEM 1. Organism. Individual living thing 2. Species. Group of organisms that are able to reproduce together, sharit common genes and therefore resemble each other 3. Population. Group of individuals of the same species living in particular place 4. Community. Group of interacting populations of different species 38 REFERENCE TEXT IN NSTP - CwTsof specics of plants and animal. species existing within differ, : bility to the environment, lL 4. Biodiversity refers to the number o! 4 given community. The variety of ecosystems provide protection and sta involving the transfer of eng,,, ganisms need nourishment from wn Energy flow pertains to the proces from one source to another. Living 0! ji s ‘ ate rder to have g different sources like sunlight, food and wee asi natural fun ch energy to stay in existence and perform their 5a foots S since they produce food 4" ants are generally cred as producer st lor Plants are generally consider I ‘ considered as consumers, other organisms, Animals are generall: ‘ation of Consumers a. Herbivores, Consumers that feed only on pla b. Carnivores. Consumers that feed only on meats from other animals c. Omnivores. Consumers that eat both plants and meat from animals d. Decomposers. Consumers that get their food by breaking down dead organisms and provide nourishment to plants : nts 6. Succession is a regular pattern of changes over time in the types of species in a certain ecosystem. The process of change may take hundreds or thousands of years. Various factors may cause the process of succession like reduction or lost of the sources of nourishment anc destruction of the natural habitat. The final or stable community that j left undisturbed is called.the climax community. Levets oF ORGANIZATION WITHIN AN ECOSYSTEM 1. Organism. Individual living thing 2. Species. Group of organisms that are able to reproduce together, sharit common genes and therefore resemble each other 3. Population. Group of individuals of the same species living in particular place 4. Community. Group of interacting populations of different species 38 REFERENCE TEXT IN NSTP - CwTsGeverat Cusscaions oF Sources of Aim Pouutats PAWUPPINE CleaN AIR Aa) Mobile source, Includes sources that t carrying with them pollutants that affect examples of this are motor vehicles that Stationary source, Pertains to the sources of harmful Contaminany, Which are: stationed in one place. Examples are power Plants ang or factories which use chemicals and fossil fuels in their operations Which When burned release poisonous substances into the air. Area source, Includes sources not mentioned above, such as smoking, cooking, burning of garbage, dust from construction and Unpaved grounds and many more. move from place to Place y area they pass by, Common, run through fossil fuels, The top five killer diseases in the Philippines are air pollution-related. These diseases are heart, pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis ang cancer. According to some studies, 70% to 90% of these diseases are caused by Pollutions emitted by mobile sources. Mason Air Pouutants Pollutant |___ Description Sources Effects Carbon Monoxide CO is an odorless, Cars, trucks, buses, | CO interferes with (Co) 40 colorless, poisonous | small engines and _| the blood's ability gos. Itis produced | some industrial to carry oxygen, by the incomplete processes slowing reflexes burning of fossil and causing fuels. drowsiness. In high concentrations, CO can cause death. Headaches and stress on the heart can result from exposure to CO in cars stuck in heavy traffic. If inhaled by @ pregnant woman, CO may hamper the growth and development of the fetus. REFERENCE TEXT IN NSTP - CWTSGeverat Cusscaions oF Sources of Aim Pouutats PAWUPPINE CleaN AIR Aa) Mobile source, Includes sources that t carrying with them pollutants that affect examples of this are motor vehicles that Stationary source, Pertains to the sources of harmful Contaminany, Which are: stationed in one place. Examples are power Plants ang or factories which use chemicals and fossil fuels in their operations Which When burned release poisonous substances into the air. Area source, Includes sources not mentioned above, such as smoking, cooking, burning of garbage, dust from construction and Unpaved grounds and many more. move from place to Place y area they pass by, Common, run through fossil fuels, The top five killer diseases in the Philippines are air pollution-related. These diseases are heart, pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis ang cancer. According to some studies, 70% to 90% of these diseases are caused by Pollutions emitted by mobile sources. Mason Air Pouutants Pollutant |___ Description Sources Effects Carbon Monoxide CO is an odorless, Cars, trucks, buses, | CO interferes with (Co) 40 colorless, poisonous | small engines and _| the blood's ability gos. Itis produced | some industrial to carry oxygen, by the incomplete processes slowing reflexes burning of fossil and causing fuels. drowsiness. In high concentrations, CO can cause death. Headaches and stress on the heart can result from exposure to CO in cars stuck in heavy traffic. If inhaled by @ pregnant woman, CO may hamper the growth and development of the fetus. REFERENCE TEXT IN NSTP - CWTSsa Effects Pollutant Description fares come — | Particulates eqn, P rticulates ‘articulates Particulates consist i industrial form clouds they ie reduce visibitiny of smoke, ash, soot, or dys, lead and processes on me ‘ icles that burn other particles from veils nie fossil fuel, burning fuel. 1 ee a fro construction and and! cause «varies of respiratory problems, Particulates have agriculture. alzo been linked yg cancer. They alse corrode metals, erode buildings ang sculptures and soi fabrics, Tue Greenouse Errecr The stratosphere contains the Earth’s ozone layer. The eee layer jg made up of three oxygen atoms. Ozone in the stratosphere absorbs most Of the ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Ultraviolet rays are very cearmtul 10 living organisms because they damage important biological molecules like the DNA, By shielding the Earth’s surface from most of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, the ozone in the stratosphere acts like a sunscreen for the Earth and its inhabitants, Greenhouse effect is a condition in which radiation from the sun freely enters the earth’s surface, causing adverse effect to the biosphere. The ozone shicld is supposed to filter UV rays and allow them to bounce back out to the universe. But the presence of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is disrupting this natural order by trapping these harmful radiations, causing the temperature on the earth’s surface to rise up, resulting to global warming. Common examples of greenhouse gases are: Carbon Dioxide (CO,), Nitrous Oxide (N,O), Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and Methane (CH,). Cunart Chance For thousands of years, the temperature and the balance of greenhouse gases have stayed just right for humans, animals and plants to survive. Today, we are having problems keeping this balance because we are releasing more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, methane, and nitrous oxide in significant amounts, The Earth’s climate has changed drastically in the past since the prehistoric ice ages. Those changes, however, occurred over hundreds or thousands of years while the present changes in the earth’s climate are taking place in a faster phase, 42 REFERENCE TEXT IN NSTP - CWTSEreects OF Gtopat WARNING Heal . a / / uealth problems which include hypertension and heat stroke, skin aneer, tespiratory infections and eye problems 2. More sever ; ore severe weather events, like droughts, typhoon, very warm BY nN summer, soil erosions and tornadoes Forest and grassland fires Damage to water sources Loss of balance in the ecosystem Reoucine THE Risk oF Gtopat WARNING wo ad nw Save electricity and turn to renewable sources of energy. Minimize the use of papers and their by-products. Walk or bike for short-distance trips and take the mass transport system for longer trips. Regularly maintain vehicle engines. Save the forests and promote green spaces. Avoid using products that contain chemicals harmful to the atmosphere. Tue Puuppine Citan Air Act of 1999 (Repustic Act No. 8749) It is a law enacted by the government in response to the growing call for measures necessary to counter the worsening problems on air pollution. It provides for a comprehensive air pollution control policy in the Philippines. Guin Principues oF Ctean Atr Act 1. Protect and advance the right of people to a balanced and healthful ecology. Promote and protect the global environment while recognizing the primary responsibility of local government units to deal with environmental problems. Recognize that the responsibility of cleaning the environment is primarily area-based. Recognize that polluters must pay. Recognize that working towards a clean and healthy environment is the concern of all. REFERENCE TEXT IN NSTP - CWTS 4344 Sec esse drin clea THON Tree: Warer Resources earth’s surface. It is one of { I 3 Water occupies three-fourth (%) of the a life, Humans: use w nial resources needed in order to sustain life. Declining eae or King, for food preparation and for hygienic purposes. Declin Fe ees 0 N water has now become a major cause of concern, especially for Tesident in urban areas, to th Prong Water systems located in or around the developed areas are more , rom, he destructive elements known as pollutants. These pollutants come different sources such as houscholds, industries, and other human activities, Connon Causes oF Water Pouution 1. Waste Discharges. Most studies conclude that domestic waste-water jg the principal cause of pollution of the different water bodies. Househo|q and toilet wastes end up in bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, Streams and seas through the drainage system. There must be separate facilities to treat waste-water before being dumped to the natural waterways, Heat (Thermal Pollution). The rise in the temperature of water also leads to water pollution. Common cause of thermal pollution As the warm water discharges used as coolant in power generation facilities, Abrupt changes in the temperature can kill many organisms in the water like the phytoplankton. Warm temperature also causes a body of water to dry up. - Harmful Chemicals from Pesticides and Mining Sites. Pesticides go down to the soil and are carried by rainwater to the different bodies of water. Equally harmful are the waste-water discharges from mining sites which are commonly contaminated with harmful elements like Nu mercury. 4. Siltation. Water that flows from the higher grounds like denuded mountains carries small particles of soil containing mincrals; some of which are toxic and can kill organisms when it reaches natural waterways. Euthropication. It is a condition in which the amount of oxygen in the water is reduced due to the increased presence of bacteria. These bacteria compete in the consumption of oxygen dissolved in the water which could consequently result to the decline in the diversity of species, REFERENCE TEXT IN NSTP — CWTSTue Pauppine Clean Water Act of 2004 (Repustic Act No. 9275) The law aims to protect the country’s water bodies from becoming polluted by land-based sources. It provides for comprehensive and integrated strategy to prevent and minimize pollution through a multi-sectoral and participatory approach involving all the stakeholders. Hicuucats oF THE Ciean Water Act 1, Management of water quality will either be based on watershed, river basin or water resources region Management will be localized. Multi-sectoral governing boards composed of representatives of mayors and governors as well as local N government units, representatives of relevant national government agencies, duly registered non-government organizations, the concerned water utility sector and the business sector will be established to address water quality issues within their jurisdiction. 3. All owners or operators of facilities that discharge waste-water are required to get a permit to discharge from the DENR or the Laguna Lake Development Authority. 4. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will prepare a national program on sewage or septage management not later than 12 months from the effectivity of the Act. LGUs are to provide the land including right of way roads for the construction of sewage and/ or septage treatment facilities and raise funds for the operations and maintenance of said facilities. The Department of Health (DOH) will formulate guidelines and standards for the collection, treatment and disposal of sewage as well as the guidelines for the establishment and operation of centralized sewage treatment system. 5. Anyone discharging waste-water into a water body will have to pay a waste-water charge. This economic instrument is expected to encourage investments in cleaner production and pollution control technologies to reduce the amount of pollutants generated and discharged. REFERENCE TEXT IN NSTP - CWTS 45SECTION Four: Soup Waste MANAGEMENT rth’s surface. It is where huma, : Decomposers found at the into nutrients needeq of different Organisms Land represents the solid section of the ca! build houses or grow crops to support tence, D fe surface of the soil transform waste organic materials by plants to grow or bear fruits for the consumpuion including humans. Is render the soil useles, essential to maintaining kill organisms acting eeradable solid wastes and toxic chemica for growing crops and supporting other plant sae balance in the environment, Harmful contaminants can as decomposers. Non-biod Tae Four Coassificarions of Sou Waste 1. Organic/Biodegradable. Waste which may be transformed into plant nutrients through the process of composting. . Non-biodegradable/Recyclable. Waste materials which may be utilized as raw materials in the manufacture of new products. 3. Non-biodegradable/Non-recyclable. Waste materials which are harmful to the soil and may not be utilized as raw materials for new products. 4. Hazardous. Waste materials which require treatment using applicable technologies before being disposed-off or used as raw materials for new products. tv Steps 10 Proper Waste MANAGEMENT It is estimated that only about 73% of the total volume of solid waste generated daily in Metro Manila are collected by dump trucks hired by loca government units. The remaining 27% of the daily wastes end up in canals vacant spaces, street corners, market places, rivers and other places. Since everyone contribute to the total volume of garbage produced daily, is just proper that each one contribute to the efforts of finding a solution to thi problem. 46 : REFERENCE TEXT IN NSTP - CWTSTwe Four R's oF Waste ManaGtntntr Is Reduce, Nt should be the responsibility of the industrial sector to minimize the use of materials which are potential sources of harmful waste in their operation, 2 2. Reuse. Iencourages the continuous use of materi of another product for as long as they remain s living organisms and the environment, used as packaging afe for humans, other 3. Recyele. It involves the application of technology so that waste material may become useful again in the production of new products by the industry sector, 4. Refuse. Refusing to buy or use products that are made from and packaged with materials that are potential source of harmful waste by the consumers. Waste Secrecarion The first step to proper waste management is to classify or sort wastes right at the source. Some wastes may no longer be recycled or reused when they become contaminated by harmful substances, thus defeating the purpose of waste management programs. Each type of waste must be separated from the others by placing them in a container provided for each type. Tut Process oF ConpostinG Composting is the natural process of converting solid biodegradable waste materials into plant nutrients by the organisms known as decomposers. Modern approaches for composting have been adapted in order to speed-up the process to meet the requirements for fast conversion of growing volume of solid waste. REFERENCE TEXT IN NSTP - CWTSStePS IN Conpostiig w ~ C old and empty tin cans, plastic Container, 1 the ground may be useq for the containers are free from Prepare the compost bin, Any or even sacks in the absence of space on composting household waste. Make sure any harmful substances like petroleum. Pat a small amount of soil at the bottom of the bin, hes place a small amount of organic waste and cover with soil, Repeat the same procedurg until the bin is filled. Sprinkle with water occasionally to maintain the temperature ang to help decomposers do their work faster. ver the compost bin in such a way that enough air can still penetrate inside. Stir the compost occasionally and see if the composting Process js completed. The composting process is already done if the substance appeared dark brown already. Modern method may also be applied by using compost starter, happy soil and deodorizers which may hasten the process of decomposition without using soil. Compost starter and happy soil are mixed with the organic wastes, while deodorizer kills bacteria that produce bad odor, Repupuic Act 9003 (Ecotocicat Soun Waste Manactuenr Act ot 2000) This law provides the legal framework for the country’s systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program that shall ensure protection of public health and the environment. It also provides for the creation of the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC), the National Ecology Center (NEC) and the Solid Waste Management Board in every province, city and municipality and in the country which are mandated to formulate a National Solid Waste Management Framework; 10-year solid waste management plans by local government units consistent with the National Solid Waste Management Framework. 48 REFERENCE TEXT IN NSTP - CWTSSaLient FeaTUREs OF R.A, 9003 le 10. ‘ Mandatory segregation of solid waste to be conducted primarily at the source such as household, institutional, industrial, commercial and agricultural sources, Setting of minimum requirements to ensure systematic collection and transport of wastes and the proper protection of the health of garbage collectors. Promotion of eco-labeling in local products and services. - Prohibition on non-environmentally acceptable products and packaging including the importation of consumer products packaged in non- environmentally acceptable materials. . , . Establishment of Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) for recyclable wastes in every barangay or cluster of barangays and the putting-up of reclamation or buy-back centers for toxic materials. Prohibition against the use of open dumps and setting of euidelines/ criteria for thie establishment of controlled dumps and sanitary landfills. Prohibition on littering, throwing, dumping of waste materials in public like roads, sidewalks, canals, esteros, parks and establishments, including the open burning of solid waste. Manufacture, distribution or use of non environmentally acceptable packaging materials. Provision of rewards, incentives both fiscal and non-fiscal, financial assistance, grants and the like to encourage LGUs and the general public to undertake effective solid waste management. Promotion of research on solid waste management and environmental education in the formal-and non-formal sectors.