A THREE-LEVEL DISPOSAL SITE SELECTION CRITERIA SYSTEM FOR TOXIC AND HAZARDOUS WASTES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Abstract

One of the perennial problems in managing toxic and hazardous wastes (THWs) generated from industrial activities is the final storage and disposal area for such kind of wastes. Due to inadequate land surface disposal facility (LSDF) in the country, waste generators are continually practicing the WHIFFY (we-hide-it-freely-for years) approach; consequently becoming a threat to human health and the environment. Proper site selection for land surface disposal facility requires a consultative process, taking into consideration the various factors that affect the overall siting process towards an effective identification of land to be developed into acceptable and environmentally-safe land surface disposal structures. This paper attempts to establish a threelevel site selection system through a participatory approach; and this is validated using survey questionnaire and secondary data. The establishment of a three-level site selection system facilitates the initial disposal siting process which leads to the development of technically, socially, environmentally, and politically acceptable disposal facilities for THWs in the Philippines. This paper also recommends basic guidelines to further support the site selection process with the application of computer-based spatial decision support systems such as Geographic Information System (GIS) as part of the land suitability assessment analysis.