AS COMMUNITIES grow, they inevitably grapple with waste management problems, and the debate between embracing zero waste initiatives and investing in waste-to-energy (WtE) facilities becomes pertinent. In Iloilo City, this dilemma is framed by the proposed P2.3-billion WtE facility in Barangay Ingore, La Paz district — a project that promises to convert daily waste into electricity but also raises environmental and health concerns.
The WtE approach offers a technologically sophisticated solution by processing non-recyclable waste to generate energy. This method ostensibly reduces the volume of waste consigned to landfills and contributes to energy generation. However, as highlighted by the EcoWaste Coalition, the process involves burning waste, which can release hazardous pollutants like dioxins and furans — substances known to cause serious health issues and environmental degradation. Even with advanced pollution control technologies, the risk of these emissions cannot be entirely eliminated.
In contrast, zero waste strategies, as advocated by the Iloilo Provincial Government, focus on waste prevention, reduction, reuse, recycling, and recovery. This aligns with the principles of sustainability and environmental stewardship, aiming to close the loop on waste production and minimize landfill use. Zero waste initiatives encourage a systemic shift in how society views and handles waste — not as an inevitable byproduct of modern life but as a resource that can be managed and minimized through thoughtful practices and policy.
The crux of the matter lies in the alignment — or lack thereof — between the capacity of the WtE facility and Iloilo City’s waste generation profile. According to the 2021 Waste Analysis and Characterization Study, a significant portion of the city’s waste is biodegradable or recyclable. This mismatch suggests that a more integrated path, which does not just convert waste to energy but also reduces waste generation through zero waste strategies, might be more beneficial.
Furthermore, the WtE approach runs contrary to the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act which emphasizes reduction and recycling over disposal. It also seems to challenge the Clean Air Act by potentially compromising air quality. The goal, therefore, is to find waste management solutions that do not sacrifice environmental quality for short-term gains in waste reduction or energy production.
While WtE facilities represent a seductive quick fix with their dual promise of reducing landfill use and generating energy, zero waste initiatives offer a more universally beneficial resolution that not only addresses the symptom (waste) but also cures the disease (excessive waste production).
Iloilo City, and other communities considering similar paths, must weigh these options carefully and choose the route that truly aligns with long-term environmental sustainability and public health.
