National Solid Waste Management Commission Sets Guidelines on Categorized Disposal Facilities

The National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) has set the guidelines on categorized disposal facilities.

NSWMC Resolution No. 6, or the Adoption of the Guidelines on Categorized Disposal Facilities, rationalizes the design of sanitary landfills based on the estimated net daily residual waste generation of local government units, taking into consideration, the environmental, financial, socio-economic, and hydro-geological dimensions within the cities and municipalities.

The Guidelines are set in support of the provision of Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which mandates DENR to provide technical and other capability building assistance and support to local government units in the development and implementation of local solid waste management plans and programs.

Based on the set guidelines, disposal facilities fall into four categories: Category 1 (repository for 15 tons and below of generated residual wastes per day); Category 2 (more than 15 to 75 tons of generated residual wastes per day); Category 3 (more than 75 to 200 tons of generated residual wastes per day); and Category 4 (more than 200 tons of generated residual wastes per day).

All four disposal facility categories should have daily and intermediate soil cover, embankment/cell separation, drainage facility, gas venting, and leachate collection features. Categories 1 to 3 should have a Pond System for leachate treatment, while Category 4, a combination of physical, biological, chemical-treatment. Clay liners should be present in all categories, or, synthetic liners for Categories 3 and 4.