The Philippines faces a growing waste management problem, not only due to increasing volumes of garbage but also because of the contribution of the waste sector to the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. While representing a relatively small portion of the overall emissions, the waste sector is a significant source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. 

The projected increase in emissions from the waste sector underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions and robust mitigation strategies, including methane capture, improved wastewater treatment, and alternative technologies like waste-to-energy, while carefully considering their potential environmental impacts.

What you need to know

• The waste sector represents a minor source of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 8.6 to 13.3 percent of the total (excluding the forestry sector).
• In 2020, the waste sector’s primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions were wastewater treatment and discharge (59.1%) and solid waste management disposal (38.85%)
• If current trends continue, emissions from solid waste are projected to double by 2030, reaching 11.5 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. By 2050, the figure is expected to triple to 18 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, driven by population growth and increased waste generation.
• Emissions from wastewater treatment are also projected to rise by 37.5% by 2030 and 63.6% by 2050.
• Methane (CH4) accounts for 93.4% of greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector. Of these methane emissions, 66% originated from wastewater treatment and 34% came from solid waste. 
• Prioritizing methane capture from landfills and expanding wastewater treatment facilities can significantly reduce emissions from the waste sector. These mitigation measures have the potential to achieve a 66 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent reduction by 2030 if fully implemented.
• Alternative technologies such as waste-to-energy are being explored, which could reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills. However, critics are that WTE facilities can emit greenhouse gases and harmful pollutants, including dioxins.

FAQs

What is the contribution of the waste sector to the Philippines’ overall greenhouse gas emissions?

Waste contributes 8.6–13.3% of the Philippines’ total greenhouse gas emissions.

What are the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions within the waste sector?

In 2020, the primary sources were wastewater treatment and discharge (59.1%) and solid waste management disposal (38.85%).

What is the main greenhouse gas emitted by the waste sector?

Methane (CH4) accounts for the vast majority of greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector, representing about 93.4% of the total.

How are emissions from the waste sector projected to change in the future?

Emissions from solid waste are projected to significantly increase. They are expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050, driven by population growth and increasing waste generation.

Use this line

• The waste sector contributes a relatively small share of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 8.6 to 13.3 percent of the total, excluding the forestry sector. In 2020, nearly 60% of these emissions came from wastewater treatment and discharge. 
• Methane, responsible for 93.4% of waste sector emissions, primarily originates from wastewater treatment (66%) and solid waste (34%). Reducing emissions requires prioritizing landfill methane capture and enhancing wastewater treatment infrastructure.

Angles you can explore

From garbage to green energy

• Explore the potential of waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies to address the growing waste problem and mitigate climate change 
• Examine the environmental and social concerns surrounding WTE, including emissions, pollution, and potential impacts on local communities
• Analyze the economic viability and technological feasibility of implementing WTE plants on a larger scale in the Philippines

Community-led waste reduction efforts

• Highlight examples of community-led initiatives that are successfully reducing waste generation and promoting sustainable waste management practices
• Explore innovative solutions such as composting programs, community-based recycling initiatives, and the development of local markets for recycled materials

How much methane is escaping unchecked?

• Highlight the potency of methane as a greenhouse gas and the urgent need to mitigate emissions from landfills and wastewater treatment facilities.

Hidden costs of change

• Explore the broader environmental and social impacts of inadequate waste management, including pollution of water and soil, health risks, and the impact on local communities.

For detailed insights, explore the 2024 Philippine Climate Change Assessment, Working Group 2: Impacts, Vulnerabilities, and Adaptation, available here.