When it comes to trash disposal, how are you at it?
By Storm
@jcj_111776 (3216)
Philippines
September 1, 2007 5:15am CST
We all know about media's call for plea in the proper segregation of our garbage. But sad to say, there are just few of us who does this. I tried to do this, too, out of trying to be a good citizen. I even bought color coded trash bags to segragate them. And when the garbage truck came, they just threw it all together in one big pile of mess. And I was totally disappointed and frustrated by what I've seen. Here I was trying to help Mother Earth, but I guess, not everyone tries to go the same path.
I also make it a point to make some note in a piece of
paper if I have something to throw that can cause injury. Here in our neighborhood, one can usually see two or three people looking for valuable trash. Most of the people in the Philippines are poor and are trying to get by. So, they truly believe in the saying that there's "money in trash".
So, whoever picks up our trash, the garbage truck or those people, I always put a note if there is something in the garbage bag that can cause harm to them. I'm not sure though if my neighbor across from mine laughs at what I do. I mean, it's trash so why do I even care if whoever picks it up gets hurt.
But I do care, especially for the kids who looks for valuable trash. They might cut their hand on something sharp inside the garbage bag.
I know I sometimes go out of my way. But this is what I do and I'm happy with it.
2 people like this
8 responses
@raijin (10345)
• Philippines
1 Sep 07
Putting notes or letting the garbage collector know what the garbage is for maybe helpful, but we still do not know if all of them do segragate it. Well, I guess we just have to consider that they do their job right.
For me, I always make sure that we organize thrash pulling out of our thrash. We leave the non-biodegadables and give them to those who would want to sell them for recycling, as we also make sure that the food waste is used as a compost. We live on a village that was once a rice field, now it's developed and we find the soil good for planting vegestables and other garden plants.
I always believe that all we need is a little time and effort to help preserve mother-earth, we can do this by working together.
@raijin (10345)
• Philippines
1 Sep 07
Yes, it should all start from us. The problem is not the numerous amount of thrash, but of how we discipline ourselves.
I remember that on other countries, they implement strict rules on garbage disposal and that people cooperate with this rules. The government should also provide more information drive on this, that they should be the one's to start and practice this type of scheme.
1 person likes this
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
1 Sep 07
Quite true. If just each and every Filipinos have the discipline, then we won't have any flood problems at all.
But then, maybe there's still hope for our country. I have come across a program while I was watching TV, that there's a province here in the Philippines that really sticks to their rule of recycling and proper garbage disposal. They have no problems at all with uncollected garbage that litters their sidewalks. I'm not sure if it's in Palawan.
Now, if the people in that province can do that, then why not the others?
I even teach my nieces and nephew to tuck their small trash inside their pockets if there is no available trash can near them. They ask me why and they even try to reason out with me, that it's just small. And I said to them, it may be small, but what about the other small trash being thrown by others? When these small trashes accummulates, then what? It results to clogged drainages and flood.
@phon4u (2215)
• Laos
2 Sep 07
Keeping the rubbish free is good for indoor health and clean environment. It helps the garbage picking teams easily to pick it up.
Most people put it in the bamboo basket, when garbage team comes and get it to their garbage bamboo basket, then they throw at the vehicle. It is good ideas if people know how to classify the garbage before putting in the bags or basket. So they know which ones are for recycling and/or burning.
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
3 Sep 07
Hi!Let's just hope that most people on Earth just have the desire to help the environment be as clean as possible.
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
3 Sep 07
Hi there. That's good to know that your area doesn't have any problem. I just hope that the way your city officials run the program of trash collection doesn't change.
1 person likes this
@mik0930 (371)
• Philippines
1 Sep 07
I consider myself a good citizen by disposing garbage well.
It has become my habit to segregate biodegradable, nonbiodegradable, white paper, colored paper and hazardous waste. I sell the white and colored paper, I segregate them as white paper is more expensive in selling.
When disposing sharp objects, I cover them with something so that the sharp edges won't be exposed.
2 people like this
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
1 Sep 07
Hello mik!
We're two of a kind. I always make it a point to cover very well some sharp objects that I've got to dispose off. And just last week, I disposed off a bottle of IV fluid which was used 3 years ago here at home. I was thinking that if I just put that bottle inside the garbage bag, there's a big chance it might shatter by mishandling and might hurt someone. So, I carefully wrapped it thickly in old newspapers, put it in a plastic bag and taped a note with it. Stating that that bag held something breakable.
I don't want to be irresponsible in disposing my garbage at the expense of others who are just doing their jobs.
@raychill (6525)
• United States
1 Sep 07
Well here I recyle. Plastic and Paper. All the rest is just regular trash. My landlord has two recycling bins specifically for the recycled stuff and then trash bins for the other trash. Fortunately I don't go through trash that often and I stock up a lot of recycling before ever taking it outside. It's good to try and do something...even if what you're doing seems small.
1 person likes this
@knowitallgurl (923)
• United States
1 Sep 07
Wow! You are incredibly considerate. Here we only recycle paper and plastic. We have two different trucks swing by here. One for regular trash and another for recyclables. So I hope they dont all end up in the same place.
I used to be a "dumpster diver" back in the days when I needed to supplement income and never saw any notes...he he. You are super nice.
Your friends are lucky to have you if you are that considerate towards them as well. :)
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
1 Sep 07
It's good to know that in our own small ways, we're trying to promote segregation and recycling. I also do that plastic and paper thing. I try to think of ways that I can still make some use of it because knowing the life cycle of these things, they will surely outlive us. I'm not sure if you're familiar with my country but when rainy season comes, usually the "ber" months, starting from September, the flood comes even in little rain. Because of the improper disposal some of my countrymen does with their garbage.
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
1 Sep 07
To Knowitallgurl:
Thanks!I really try to be considerate to others because I believe in good karma. And I do put notes because most of those who picks up the trash, besides the garbage collectors, are kids. And my heart just goes out to them. There are some who are barely in their teens, carrying a heavy sack over their shoulder, trying to look at every houses where they can find valuable trash.
I'm not sure though if my neighbor who lives across us, laughs at what I do. They may think I'm getting a little over the top. But what the heck? They are entitled to their opinions. ^_^
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
3 Sep 07
I think you deserve a big round of applause for having the sensitivity and forethought to consider the ripple effect of choices you make. If only others could be that thoughtful...and prevent troubles by THINKING AHEAD. From many of the things we hear and read about...there are all too many who rush blindly ahead and wonder why their lives end up in the TRASH! lol.
In our household we are gardeners so we compost what we can. In our little village there is a central recycling center where we drop off our recyclables and items others that we no longer want but others can use. So many in town call it 'the shopping mall.' In the largest town there is a thrift store run through the Mennonite Central Committee where we also donate household items or gently used clothing.
So our trash truly ends up being tossed out...and the rest is recycled.
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
3 Sep 07
Hi Raia!and Thank you....I do try my best everyday to help others, in ways that I can.
You know, making a compost is one of my pending "project" too. I don't buy fertilizers because I know that making your own compost is much more better for the plants.
From what I have read from most who has replied to this discussion, I'm really glad that there is still something being done for the tons of garbage being produced daily.
I'm just not sure about our area though. From the 4 years that I have lived in this place, I have never experienced or known any activity regarding the recycling of our garbages. The garbage truck just come regularly on schedule but nothing special. No announcements from city officials about any special activities that can be done. Hmmmm.... I guess we can't rely on others if we really want something to be done at once.
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
1 Sep 07
Our city has a fairly strong recycling program, so it's very easy to separate everything out. We have different coloured containers for paper, newspaper, and bottles/cans/jars.
1 person likes this
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
1 Sep 07
That's good. It means your city officials are really doing their jobs. But here in my country?I don't know why we are still suffering from floods IF they are really segragating the garbage. If you just can see the landfills here, it's really pitiful. But then,these landfills give most of my countrymen the chance to earn money so they can have a decent meal for the day.
But in fairness to some NGO's, who are really trying to make an effort to have this recycling thing a success.
@wisedragon (2325)
• Philippines
2 Sep 07
Here in Las Pinas City we have a pretty good segregation system. Barangays collect food waste and turn them into fertilizer, I think. There are many junk shops that would buy your recyclable trash such as plastics, papers, and metals. Everything else is collected by the garbage trucks.
It does take time and effort to segregate, but I think it's worth it for the sake of our environment. I also get paid over 200 pesos for a month's worth of accumulated recyclables.
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
3 Sep 07
Hello wisedragon!
That's good news!At least we can say that there are some city officials who really do their jobs.
There are lots of junk shops here at Bulacan. And it's actually a race between the garbage collectors and the people who looks for valuable trash, every Wednesdays and Saturdays here.
I also tried to sell some things at the junkshop. It was ok but I later decided to just accummulate some things that can be sold at the junkshop and give it directly to the people who needs the money more than I do.
Your barangay officials should be commended for their great work. What they are doing not only helps Mother Earth but I guess, they can cook up some profitable business out of it.
