(EID-021) “A PASSION FOR SEGREGATION”

Many say that most Filipinos would not react to socio-political issues not unless it concerns them or threatens them directly. Considering the threats to our environment that could probably result in very serious crisis situations, is it now possible for the majority of our people to develop a passion for the segregation of waste?

Looking at our polluted rivers and bays, most Filipinos could probably bear the sight of dirt and other debris, thinking perhaps that the problem does not affect of threaten them directly. But what could happen if they would know that we could eventually run short of drinking water, and it could become too expensive for most people to buy it, assuming that it could still be available? Are they going to do something to stop water pollution?

The connection between waste segregation and water pollution is of course very obvious, but it seems that most people are not aware that the garbage that pollutes our waterways would not be there in the first place if only these were earlier segregated.

After trying to implement waste segregation programs work in this country for many years without much success, it is about time to develop and try new strategies; otherwise we will not be able to avoid the environmental crisis that is bound to happen.

For whatever it is worth, I think that we should try using the cooperative approach in the implementation of waste segregation programs at the village level, purposely making it a money making livelihood project of the local community.

On the practical side, I think that previous attempts in waste segregation failed simply because the stakeholders, meaning the household members who were supposed to do the segregation were not able to benefit from their participation in the form of direct earnings.

The village cooperative should operate a trading business that will buy and sell the recyclables produced, buying it from the stakeholders, and selling it to consolidators and direct buyers. It is but natural that the profit motive would encourage the stakeholders to develop a passion for segregation.

As you might have figured out by now, the cooperative approach in waste segregation would in effect have a dual benefit, providing livelihood and helping the environment.