Engineering : The Backbone

The Engineering component deals with the hardware requirement of a waste management system, that include collection trucks, garbage receptacles, transfer stations, and disposal sites and the equipment required to operate them. It deals with the establishment of systems and procedures, such as collection routes, waste segregation requirements, and disposal facility operations.

Education : The Mouth and Feet

All sectors of society have to be made aware about their roles and responsibilities in managing wastes. Advocacy of integrated solid waste management is made possible through various means – posters, flyers, brochures, TV, radio and print media, seminars and workshops, speaker’s bureaus, and school curricula.

Enforcement : The Eyes and Hands

An integrated approach to solid waste management covers multiple concerns and thus to be supported by a set of ordinances that address these numerous concerns. Local ordinances should spell out policies and processes for waste segregation, collection, storage, transfer and disposal. They should provide for the mechanism and administrative structures to implement the program. They should also specify sanctions that are penalizing enough to ensure compliance.

The local government needs to deputize ESWM enforcers who will ensure that citizens follow the laws and who will ensure that citizens follow the laws and who will issue the citation tickets to those who violate the laws. Beyond being “waste watchers”. The Enforcement component needs to look for creative ways to motivate local citizens to be responsible for their waste. Some of the modes may be competitions and awards.

Environmental Organization : The Structure that “Houses” the Program

In many local governments, the responsibility for managing municipal waste is divided among several offices. This situation has contributed largely to inefficiency in collection and disposal. To be effective and efficient, the program must be lodged in an appropriate office or department within the local government’s institutional machinery. Ideally, the local government should create an ESWM division under the Environmental and Natural Resources Office, and convene a multi-sectoral Solid Waste Management Board to ensure the participation of all sectors of the community.

Equity : The Fuel

Last, but certainly not the least, is the Equity Component of the ESWM program. Each one of the four components requires resources in terms of financing, personnel, leadership and expertise. It takes a forward looking town or city mayor to mobilize the necessary local funds or outside financing, as well as to tap local expertise and citizen cooperation and participation.

(Source:Orientation Manual on Ecological Solid Waste Management, SWAPP)