RESOURCE UTILLIZATION AND

WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

OF EURO PRODUCTS, INC. IN
RESPONSE TO THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT UNIT INITIATIVE ON
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

KARMELA MIRRIAM A. EBREO

CERP 140 U
 Contents

Introduction

Resource Utilization, Management

and Conservation practices

Energy

Water

Waste Disposal

Solid Waste

Hazardous Waste

LGU Ordinances

M.O. 2002-59

M.O. 1996-01

Conclusion

References

Appendix 1: questionnaire
 INTRODUCTION

As the population increases with the growth of industrialization, solid waste disposal is

aggravated. In order to address such concern, the Philippine government issued the Republic Act

9003 otherwise known as the Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

Supporting it is the DENR Administrative Order No. 2001-34 or the Implementing Rules and

Regulation of the Republic Act 9003 (Diaz in Tidon, 2000).

The R.A. 9003 states that an ecological solid waste management program should use

waste minimization measures such as composting, recycling, re-using, recovery, and others ; and

ensure the proper segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal through the

formulation and adoption of the best environmental practices. In Section 16 Article 1 Chapter 3,

the Local government, through its local solid waste management board, is mandated to prepare a

10-year SWM plan for the re-use, recycling and composting of wastes generated in the

respective jurisdiction.

In compliance to the national act, the local government of Los Baños, Laguna, under the

leadership of Mayor Ceasar Perez, issued the Municipal Ordinance 2002-59 otherwise known as

the Ordinance Mandating all Owner/Proprietors of business enterprises in the Municipality of

Los Baños to put up segregation facilities in their business establishments in Consonance with

the Municipal Ecological SWM Program pursuant to DENR A.O. No. 2001-34. Ratified on the

21st of January 2002 and took effect 30 days after, the ordinance mandates businesses to provide

properly marked solid waste containers that are situated in accessible areas inside the workplace.

It also provides the fines for anyone who will violate the ordinance.

Another M.O. relevant to waste management is the M.O. 1996-01 also known as the

Ordinance Amending and Prescribing the Rates of Environmental Management Service fees
(Garbage fee collection) for business, trade, occupational and other establishments for other

purposes. It was enacted on the 29th of February, 1996 and took effect 15 days after under the

leadership of former Mayor Lorenzo Meneses, JR.

EURO PRODUCTS, INC.

EURO Products, Inc. is a company that imports and manufactures industrial chemicals

for geothermal drilling, power plants, pulp and paper, petroleum, semi-conductors, water

treatment, food and beverages, sugar industries, pharmaceutical, commercial establishments, and

other industries and oil/gas/geothermal drilling technical services. It has been in operation since

1979.Its manufacturing facility and main office is located at 11097 Mayondon, Los Baños. With

25 regular employees, the company operates 5 days a week with regular office hours from 8 am

to 5 pm. The manufacturing facility is composed of two batches of 8 mixers which are powered

by 2 units of 5 horse power machines that work in a non-continuous mixing process. Thus, it

only goes into operation, from 7 am to 6pm, whenever there is a high demand of their specialty

products. Table 1 shows the company‟s specialty products, and where it is applied. In order to

continuously provide products of highest quality and excellent services to their customers, the

company follows the ISO 9001 framework of international quality standards.

 Table 1. EURO Products, Inc. Specialty products
PRODUCT NAME APPLICATION PACKAGING PRICE
(PHP)
Pulp and Paper QTY UNIT
EURO RET-C Retention Aid 2,500 kgs/drum 84.50
EURO RET-P Retention Aid 1,070 kgs/totebin 75.00
EURO PD-125 Dry strength polymer 1,070 kgs/totebin 84.00
EURO BOND 214 kgs/drum 84.50
EURO PD-158 Dry strength polymer 200 ltr/drum 110.00
Waste Water
RM-21 Defoamer Defoamer 200 ltr/drum 195.00
EURO Floc Liquid flocculant 200 ltr/drum 70.00
SENSO L-125 1,000 kgs/container 73.00
Cooling tower
EURO treat 20 ltr/cby 1, 397.00

RESOURCE UTILIZATION, MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION PRACTICES

Energy

In the 2008 energy report of the Department of Energy, the industrial sector had a 3.08

percent increase in consumption compared with their 2007 rate. Such can be equated to food

manufacturing and beverage industries (DOE, 2008). However, as part of the industrial sector of

the country, EURO Products, Inc. contributed to such consumption of energy.

The company, whose energy sourced from Meralco, mainly uses energy for its main

building and the manufacturing facility. The main building is divided to 3 main rooms – the

general manager‟s; other offices; and conference room. The rooms had their air condition units,

desktops, printers, fax machines, and fluorescent bulbs that are used during office hours by the

25 regular employees. The manufacturing facility, on the other hand, is operated mainly through

the use of 2 units of 5 hp machines. It powers 16 mixers and follows the non-continuous mixing
process. Thus, an abrupt increase in the company‟s energy consumption takes place only

whenever there is a high demand of their specialty products.

Energy management and conservation

In order to be an efficient energy consumer, the company shuts down the manufacturing

facility when demand is low. Moreover, its employees follow the “switch off when not used”

principle in conservation. They switch the lights off during lunch break when everyone is out.

Even the general manager practices such – he switches off the light in his office whenever he

goes out. Sometimes, they use one instead of using 2 fluorescent bulbs to light the room if there

is no one on the other side of it. There are also times that they don‟t switch the lights on, they

open the windows and use natural light instead.

Recommendations

Energy can be conserved further through the use of low wattage fluorescent bulbs.

Setting a specific time, temperature and mode for the use of the air conditioning units may also

lessen the energy consumption.

Water

Euro Products, Inc. de-ionizes water from its deep well before using. During the

manufacture of industrial chemicals, a mixer of 200 L is filled by 155 L of water, thus, having a

total of 2,480 L of water in the manufacture cycle.

Water management and conservation

The company practices the „Zero-waste water cycle‟ in the manufacture of chemicals. In

the process of manufacturing, the mixed bed polisher produces waste from the use of resins to
purify water. Such waste water is then delivered to the waste water treatment tanks. Once treated,

the water can again be used for manufacturing.

Recommendations

“There are alternative sources for energy. There are no alternatives to water” (Eco-

efficiency Centre, 2009). With such state, it is but essential to conserve water in every way

possible. The zero-waste water cycle of the company is a good way to conserve water. It can be

improved by taking used water from the main building to the waste water treatment tanks as

well. In that way, the company will not only be practicing zero-waste water during

manufacturing but throughout the whole operation itself. Saving rain water during rainy season

for use in the main building can also help conserve water.

WASTE DISPOSAL

The company, being involved in the manufacture of industrial chemicals, produces two

types of wastes – solid, and hazardous wastes.

Solid Waste

In the main building, the common solid wastes are papers and busted fluorescent bulbs.

These wastes are thrown in the appropriate trash bins. The company practices waste segregation.

It has separate bins for nabubulok and di – nabubulok. Papers whose other side can still be used

are re-used as plan scratches, sometimes even printed on as well.

During manufacturing, on the other hand, the company has carboy containers as the

wastes. However, they re-use it as containers of commodity chemicals such as HCl and caustic

acid. They also encourage their clients to return the carboys once the product is consumed so

they could re-use it for second delivery of products.

Hazardous Waste

Waste water is not a big concern by the company because they have a waste water

treatment facility. One of the hazardous wastes generated from the manufacture of chemicals is

used oil. It is hazardous because it “picks up a variety of hazardous contaminants when used in

engines and transmissions including lead, dioxins, benzene and polycyclic aromatics” (Product

Stewardship Oil Program factsheet). According to Mr. Erwin Lapie, the Product Manager of the

company who also works as the Pollution Control Officer, used oil is bought by pest control

businesses. Such business trade allows them to dispose their used oil safely. Another hazardous

waste generated from the manufacture of chemicals is the water from the resin mix. Such water

has a high pH level. The company then uses the acid injection method to neutralize the water.

Once neutralized, it can be used again in product manufacturing.

ON THE LGU ORDINANCES

M.O. 2002-59 : Ordinance Mandating All Owner/Proprietors Of Business Enterprises In The

Municipality Of Los Baños To Put Up Segregation Facilities In Their Business Establishments In

Consonance With The Municipal Ecological Solid Waste Management Program Pursuant to DENR

Administrative Order No. 2001-34 Series of 2001. Subject : Implementing Rules And Regulations of

Republic Act No. 9003 And Specific And Applicable National Programs

The company appreciates the ordinance. According to Mr. Lapie, “… maganda nga na

may ganito. Mas madali din makita kung alin ang pwedeng gamitin. Halimbawa, sa papel,,

tinitingnan naming kung pwede pa yung likod. ‘Pag tulad nito, wala pang sulat, piniprintan

naming uli o kaya sinusulatan. Kapag hindi na pwede, hinihiwalay din namin tapos binebenta”.

Aside from that, the company complies with the ordinance by following Section 3a. It has

labeled trash bins in the building. Moreover, the company commented on its implementation.
According to Mr. Lapie, “crowded yung basura sa kanto”. The street corner is where the

community wastes are to be picked-up by the garbage collectors. However, when all the wastes

are brought there, they occupy almost half of the street. Sometimes, there are people who search

for usable materials like bottles and tin cans which they can sell to junk shops. There are also

times when dogs scavenge on the wastes. Such actions result to wastes being scattered all over

the corner.

In order to avoid the crowding waste corner, the company suggested that the community

change the way they throw the garbage. Mr. Lapie explained, “mas maganda yung dati. Yung

ilalabas lang ang basura kapag dadaan na ang truck.Halimbawa kung eight dadaan ang truck,

abangan na lang sa tapat”. Such suggestion would not only ensure that the wastes are being

collected properly but it is also a way to avoid the wastes scatter due to scavenging.

M.O. 1996-01 : An Ordinance Amending And Prescribing The Rates Of Environmental Management

Service Fees (Garbage Fee Collection) For Business, Trade, Occupational And Other Establishments

And For Other Purposes

The company made no comment regarding the rate that they pay. However, they

suggested the local government to continue, if still in operation, or popularize the conversion of

wastes to hollow blocks, tables and chairs. It also encouraged the government to venture into the

conversion of wastes to fuel.

Having policies obliges not only the residents but also the businesses in the municipality

to look after the environment. The M.O. 2002-59 is a very practical ordinance. It can be

practiced by anyone even if it does not exist. Though seeing it written on paper with the

appropriate penalties once violated, makes the community compel to protect the environment.

However, the implementation of the ordinance is where the concern is. No matter how detailed
the ordinance maybe, if it is not effectively implemented, is the same as not having it. The

municipal government should check if the ordinance is being implemented in every

establishment. Take the university for example. There are labeled trash bins in the university but

still the paper and plastics are thrown in the same bin.

In the M.O. 1996-01, Section 2 states the rate that a certain establishment should pay for

the environment. Establishments are categorized as: manufacturing, whole sale/retail trade,

service, amusement, financial institution, or insurance. This section can be revised in such a way

that the rates would depend not only on the classifications but also according to the scope and

type of waste generated.

CONCLUSION

The environment is a source of raw materials for different establishments. Thus, it is

important to protect the environment in order for it to continuously provide for the needs of a

community. With environmental policies, the community is compelled to look after the

environment.

Euro Products, Inc. is a manufacturing company which focuses on the manufacture of

industrial chemicals. In its case, the environment is the source of water which it uses in

producing industrial chemicals. In order to do its part in the protection of the environment, it

complies with the ordinances mandated by the local government of Los Baños.

M.O. 2002-59 and M.O. 1996-01 are two of the ordinances most related to resource

utilization and waste management. The company commented on how the collection of wastes. It

also suggested the local government to continue and popularize the conversion of wastes to

hollow blocks. However, the researcher suggested that M.O. 1996-01 policy be revised to be

more effective.
 REFERENCES

Australian government fact sheet. Retrieved on September 9, 2009 from

http://recyclingnearyou.com.au/documents/oil-factsheet-1.pdf.

Department of Energy – Philippines. Power Sector Situationer 2008.Retrieved on September 11, 2009

from http://www.doe.gov.ph/EP/Powersituationer.htm.

How to Conserve Water and Use It Effectively. Retrieved on September 19, 2009 from

http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/chap3.html.

Industrial Best Practices for Water Management: A guide for industry to help reduce your water footprint

Eco-Efficiency Centre. Retrieved on September 7, 2009 from http://eco-

efficiency.management.dal.ca/Files/Industrial_Best_Practices_for_Water_Management_Guide.pdf.

Management and Utilization of Urban Solid Waste. Research of Information series on ecosystems.

(2000). 12(3).
 APPENDIX 1

Interview guide

1. How many are employed in the company?

2. On the average, how much are the services of the company?
3. As the company manufactures industrial chemicals, how long do the machines operate in a day?
How many machines are used (for making chemicals for waste water treatment)?
4. How much electrical energy is consumed during the manufacture of industrial chemicals?
5. How much water (m3) is consumed during the manufacture of industrial chemicals?
6. How many cycles are there in the manufacture of chemicals?
7. How many tanks are filled?

1. What does the company do to conserve water?

2. What does the company do to conserve energy?
3. Once there’s production, there is waste. Can you name any solid waste generated from the
manufacture of industrial chemicals?
4. Can you name any liquid waste generated from the manufacture of industrial chemicals?
5. Can you name any hazardous waste generated from the manufacture of industrial chemicals?
6. How does the company dispose such wastes?

1. What do you know about the Municipal Ordinance (M.O.) 2002-59 (Ordinance Mandating all
owner/proprietors of business enterprises in the Municipality of Los Baños to put up segregation
facilities in their business establishments in consonance with the Municipal Ecological Solid
Waste Management Program pursuant to DENR A.O. 2001-34 Series of 2001: Implementing
rules and regulations of R.A. 9003 and specific and applicable national programs)?
2. How does the company comply with the ordinance?
3. What can you suggest to improve the said ordinance?
4. What do you know about the Municipal Ordinance (M.O.) 1996-01 (An ordinance amending and
prescribing the rates of environmental management fees (garbage fee collection) for business,
trade, occupational and other establishments and for other puposes)?