THE key to an effective waste management is for households to cooperate and help in the segregation of waste.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Executive Director Regidor de Leon said the participation of households in segregating waste is crucial to solve the garbage problem of Baguio.

Sun.Star accepts donations for victims of Typhoon Ondoy

He added since Baguio residents are mostly busy and maids or househelp are oftentimes left to throw the garbage, there should be a seminar for all the maids about waste segregation.

De Leon said he will suggest such a seminar to be held in the city.

Environmental Management Bureau Regional Technical Director Paquito Moreno said based on the characteristics of the waste in the city, 40 to 50 percent are biodegradables and 40 percent are materials, which can be put in Materials Recovery Facility, and the rest are residuals meant for an engineered sanitary landfill.

Moreno said if households take care of the biodegradables and the others are recovered in MRFs, only 10 percent will be left for the City Government to manage.

"Hindi lang talaga City Hall ang may responsibilidad sa waste, malaki ang ginagampanan ng households," Moreno said.

He added RA 9003 provides for households to help in managing waste.

Moreno reiterated cooperation is needed to solve the impending problem of garbage in the city.

He added the DENR has encouraged City Environment and Parks Management Office to go out twice a week to explain the provisions of RA 9003 to the barangays in the city.

Moreno disclosed there have been moves in Ifugao, Apayao and Sagada to set up MRFs in their localities.