Mapping Waste Trends: A Case Study of Odiongan Municipality's Waste Analysis and Characterization

ABSTRACT

The Municipality of Odiongan, Romblon  is a rapidly developing rural area in the Philippines that is experiencing significant solid waste management challenges due to its growing population and limited infrastructure capacity. Addressing these issues is essential for developing a powerful Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) that can guide waste minimization, waste recycling, and ensure safe disposal of residual waste. This study examines the waste profile and future projections of waste in Odiongan, within a period of 10 years (2023–2032). The data were obtained between March 15 and March 28, 2023, in accordance with Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) protocols by the Department of Science and Technology Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST‐ITDI), including systematic random sampling, separation at source, and proximate and ultimate waste analysis. Results show that the residential area generates an average of 155.61 kg/day, where non‐household origin generates 1123.69 kg/day, which matures to about 1279.31 kg/day. This is equivalent to a calculated per capita generation of 0.65 kg/day, which is consistent with the national average of familiar municipalities in the scale of total population of 51,932. The results of waste composting revealed that the contents of biodegradable materials affect the two sectors, indicating that there are opportunities for composting and the recovery of assets. Estimating the amount of waste that may be produced annually up to 2032 may be close to 4,879,189 kg, due to an estimated population increase of 60,762. This research identifies the absolute necessity of an integrated SWMP that is adapted to society and facilitates further development when sustainable practices have to be encouraged. The research offers an important fundamental point of departure that local and provincial policy makers can use to develop effective waste reduction and asset management policies, which can suit the specific situation in Odiongan. This study also highlights the opportunities to integrate sustainability principles, approaches of the circular economy, and ideas of climate‐adaptivity into the SWMP of Odiongan to achieve effective waste reduction, recycling, and safe disposal.