Effective Infrastructure for Solid Waste Management
Effective Infrastructure for Solid Waste Management
Business Model Description
Invest in construction and operation of solid waste management infrastructure, including sewage systems and sanitation centers. Investments can be concentrated in areas with high demand as identified by the local governments.
General Santos City Sanitary Landfill Started at the beginning of the 21st Century, the General Santos City Sanitary Landfill Project is a proposed public-private partnership (PPP) project that aims to extend the life of the General Santos City Sanitary Landfill (SLF) and improve its capacity. The project involves the operation and maintenance of the SLF and the establishment and implementation of a waste conversion program. The indicative cost of the project is USD 2 million. East Asia Sheng Tai, a consortium consisting of East Asia Solutions Technology Corporation, Sheng Tai Energy Technology Company, and Dr. Lin Shing-Chou, had submitted an "unsolicited proposal" to manage and operate the sanitary landfill for at least 25 years, with the project costing ~USD 1.76 million.
Quezon City Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility Project. Initiated in 2018, the Quezon City Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility Project is a public-private partnership venture between the local government of Quezon City and a consortium led by Metro Pacific Investments Corp. The project entails the design, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of a waste treatment facility capable of processing up to 3,000 metric tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) per day and generating 36-megawatt electric (MWe) of renewable power. It aims to provide the QC LGU with a sustainable and cost-efficient waste disposal solution.
Expected Impact
Improving health and environment of impacted communities and water ways through providing solid waste management solutions.
How is this information gathered?
Investment opportunities with potential to contribute to sustainable development are based on country-level SDG Investor Maps.
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Country & Regions
- Philippines: Western Visayas
- Philippines: Central Visayas
- Philippines: Bicol Region
- Philippines: Davao Region
Sector Classification
Infrastructure
Development need
Infrastructure need cuts across multiple sectors including housing, transportation and utitlities. Based on a study done by JICA on 2015, the annual loss from GDP caused by inadequate infrastructure amounts to 20 Billion USD. (4)
Government spending for infrastructure with the "Build Build Build" policy at the forefront showed 19.5% dedicated mainly to infrastructure in 2019. Post-pandemic, the current administration still find key infrastructure across agriculture, transportation and logistics, education and energy lacking and have showing great interest in public-private partnership through the increase in projects. (1)
Policy priority
The Philippine Development Plan for 2023-2028 specifically focused in the criticality of the Infrastructure sector. It provided direction and signalled that there's further demand for the development of the sector across the different aspects (energy, transportation, housing) and regions.
A report by the DBM on the 2022 national budget in 2021 highlighted greater investments in social and economic services in line with the government’s COVID-19 response and recovery agenda and other crucial expenditures. In particular, health, social welfare, and infrastructure development continue to be prioritized in order to manage the risks of the outbreak and boost economic growth. (1)
Gender inequalities and marginalization issues
The Philippine Statistics Authority has noted that the areas in the Philippines with low income also experience lack of access in basic infrastructure such as clean water sources and sanitation. separating at landfill sites, thus lacking social protection.
Regions such as BARMM (84% access to water and 51.6% access to basic sanitation) and Central Visayas (94% access to water and 70% access to sanitation) were highlighted. (5) Women are traditionally responsible for managing household waste as part of their daily chores, and in the wider informal waste management sector, women are primarily found in the lower tier, working in waste picking and
Investment opportunities introduction
The Philippine Development Plan 2023 - 2028 highlighted it's focus on Infrastructure development. Multiple policies including the creation of additional PEZA zones, 1 million yearly housing target of the Department of Socialized Housing and Urban Development, among others, provide investment opportunities for developers within the sector. (1)
Key bottlenecks introduction
The World Bank in its report: Philippine Economic Update June 2021 pinpoint that the main challenges within the industry are long time frames which creates slower budget execution rates. Coupled with new policies, there's a need to improve the capacity of local government to effectively mobilize capital to create public-private partnerships.
Waste Management
Development need
The World Bank notes that the Philippines grapples with unsustainable plastic production/consumption and insufficient solid waste management infrastructure. A staggering 2.7 million tons of plastic waste are generated in the Philippines each year, and an estimated 20 percent ends up in the ocean.
Because of the main income generating aspects of an archipelago, the livelihoods of the Philippines’ coastal communities, and the fishing, shipping and tourism industries are especially vulnerable to the impact of marine debris.(8) The current sanitary landfills can only serve 10% of their need, and overflow of these landfills result to negative health impact in surrounding areas. (9)
Gender inequalities and marginalization issues
Access to proper sanitation systems impact low-income household as well as families living in hard to reach areas. Without enough solid waste management systems and infrastructures, only families and communities with enough income can create small solutions to make sure that waste are collected and disposed. (8)
Women are the most vulnerable in waste management sector having less access to skills, training, and capital to earn more from working with waste. (13)
Investment opportunities introduction
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources estimates the capacity of sanitary landfills currently only serve 10% of the needs of the Philippines, solid waste management and recycling are expected to be less (10). This creates adequate market space for new investments to come in.
Multiple solid waste managements were also approved last 2022 through private sector solutions and public-private sector partnerships. Therefore showing the business viability of the investment.
Key bottlenecks introduction
Industry leaders point out that the viability of waste management systems require that multiple municipals or regions collaborate together to reach necessary demand levels. This can create delays in approval and excution of the solid waste management infrastructure, as well as limit the investment entry depending on the scale requirement of the whole group.
Waste Management
Pipeline Opportunity
Effective Infrastructure for Solid Waste Management
Invest in construction and operation of solid waste management infrastructure, including sewage systems and sanitation centers. Investments can be concentrated in areas with high demand as identified by the local governments.
General Santos City Sanitary Landfill Started at the beginning of the 21st Century, the General Santos City Sanitary Landfill Project is a proposed public-private partnership (PPP) project that aims to extend the life of the General Santos City Sanitary Landfill (SLF) and improve its capacity. The project involves the operation and maintenance of the SLF and the establishment and implementation of a waste conversion program. The indicative cost of the project is USD 2 million. East Asia Sheng Tai, a consortium consisting of East Asia Solutions Technology Corporation, Sheng Tai Energy Technology Company, and Dr. Lin Shing-Chou, had submitted an "unsolicited proposal" to manage and operate the sanitary landfill for at least 25 years, with the project costing ~USD 1.76 million.
Quezon City Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility Project. Initiated in 2018, the Quezon City Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility Project is a public-private partnership venture between the local government of Quezon City and a consortium led by Metro Pacific Investments Corp. The project entails the design, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of a waste treatment facility capable of processing up to 3,000 metric tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) per day and generating 36-megawatt electric (MWe) of renewable power. It aims to provide the QC LGU with a sustainable and cost-efficient waste disposal solution.
Business Case
Market Size and Environment
USD 50 million - USD 100 million
5% - 10%
21 million metric tons per annum
The estimated industry revenue for waste management is around USD 63.5 million. (20) The global waste management market size has a CAGR of 6.71% from 2022 to 2030 (20) According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Philippines produces over 21 million metric tons of garbage per annum. (14)
Quezon City's garbage collection revenues are projected to grow uninterruptedly over the next five years (2016-2020). This growth will result in an accumulated surplus of USD 375 million. (18)
Indicative Return
10% - 15%
> 25%
The return profile in IRR is estimated to be around 10-15% (15) Net profit margin of 64.6% in feasibility study for upgrading solid waste management system (17) Expected returns will depend on the tipping fee secured and the power offtake arrangement (revenues can be higher if sold directly to a cooperative (15)
Similar planned projects in the Philippines expect an average Project Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 8.2%-9.5% and an Equity IRR of 13.3%-16.8% (15)
Investment Timeframe
Medium Term (5–10 years)
Estimated payback period for Waste Management projects require at least 7 years. (20) The payback period for Integrated Solid Waste Management Facilities can range from two to six years, depending on the size of the project, local prices for commodities, electricity, biogas, compost, and tipping fees, and the financing structure. (19)
Ticket Size
> USD 10 million
Market Risks & Scale Obstacles
Capital - CapEx Intensive
Market - Highly Regulated
Market - Volatile
Impact Case
Sustainable Development Need
With over a 100 million population, the Philippines is now producing over 21 million metric tons of garbage annually (11). Despite an existing law mandating segregration of garbage at the barangay (village) level, waste management is still a problem. Trash ends up in water bodies, resulting to diseases, pollution, drainage clogs causing floods, among others (12).
Proper waste management is crucial for sustainable development in the Philippines. Environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable practices are needed to prevent pollution, conserve natural resources, promote sustainable consumption, and protect public health and safety while reducing social inequities and empowering communities.
The government eyes the establishment of 300 more sanitary landfills nationwide through public-private partnership in the next two years (11).
Gender & Marginalisation
Informal waste workers often face poor working conditions, low pay, and limited access to social protection and healthcare. They are also more vulnerable to harassment and violence while working in the waste sector.
Waste disposal sites, often located in marginalized communities, expose these populations to health risks and environmental degradation. Due to lack of political power, these communities find it difficult to advocate for their rights to clean and healthy living conditions.
Expected Development Outcome
Effective solid waste management practices can reduce the risk of exposure to disease-causing agents and contaminants that can harm public health. Proper waste disposal methods and sanitation practices can prevent the spread of diseases, leading to better overall health outcomes for communities.
The efficient management of solid waste can generate new business opportunities and jobs in the waste management industry. Recycling and composting programs can create new markets for recycled materials and reduce the cost of waste disposal, leading to potential economic benefits for communities.
Proper solid waste management practices can lead to a reduction in pollution of air, water, and soil, which can help protect biodiversity and ecosystems from degradation caused by improperly managed waste.
Gender & Marginalisation
Proper waste management practices can lead to the formalization of the waste management sector, which can provide better working conditions and higher wages for informal waste workers, who are often women. Proper waste management practices can provide marginalized communities with access to clean and safe waste disposal facilities, improving their living conditions and protecting their health.
Primary SDGs addressed
6.2.1 Proportion of population using (a) safely managed sanitation services and (b) a hand-washing facility with soap and water
Population living in households with access to basic sanitation increased to 95.3% based on Philippine Statistics Authority data for 2020, however, it is important to note that regional data shows large variations to this average where certain regions are as low as 39.3% (BARMM)
The Philippines aim for 100% access by 2030.
11.6.2 Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities (population weighted)
Percentage of highly urbanized and other major urban centers within ambient air quality guidelines value increased As of 2021, there are only 21% of the highly urbanised and major urban centers with ambient air quality
Target is to achieve 100% by 2030
Secondary SDGs addressed
Directly impacted stakeholders
People
Gender inequality and/or marginalization
Planet
Corporates
Public sector
Indirectly impacted stakeholders
People
Gender inequality and/or marginalization
Planet
Corporates
Public sector
Outcome Risks
Environmental outcome risks: Inadequate solid waste management infrastructure results in pollution, landfill overflow, greenhouse gas emissions, resource depletion, and habitat destruction. Public health outcome risks: Improper waste disposal can increase risk of vector-borne diseases, waterborne diseases, respiratory issues, occupational health hazards, and health inequities.
Socioeconomic Outcome Risks: Economic losses, reduced quality of life, livelihood disruption, social stigma, and limited community engagement due to inefficient waste management infrastructure. Gender Inequality/Marginalization risks: gendered division of labor, occupational segregation, lack of gender-responsive services, and gender-based violence.
Impact Risks
Poor waste management infrastructure can result in land and soil contamination, air and water pollution, hazardous waste mishandling, and disruption of local ecosystems, posing risks to public health. Inadequate waste management infrastructure can lead to disease outbreaks, health hazards for waste workers, increased healthcare costs, odor and aesthetic concerns, and food safety risks.
Economic risks: This can lead to reduced tourism and investment, increased waste management costs, missed economic opportunities, property value decline, and job losses in traditional waste sectors. Gender Inequality/Marginalization risks: Limited access to waste services, and gender inequality, negatively impacting the quality of life, access to services, burdening women in waste management
Impact Classification
What
Improving access to effective solid waste management infrastructures that will enhance health of communities and the environment
Risk
Medium risk of insufficient solid waste management solutions which will inadequately solve the large need for waste management
Contribution
Reduction to waste thrown to unmanaged landfills including around 500, 000 metric tons of plastic waste leakage per year, which will help improvement waterways enviroment and health of communities
Impact Thesis
Improving health and environment of impacted communities and water ways through providing solid waste management solutions.
Enabling Environment
Policy Environment
RA 9003: Ecological Solid Waste Management Act: It aims to promote proper solid waste management system in the country through the reduction of volume of waste generated, increase recycling efforts, and ensure proper disposal of hazardous waste to protect public health and the environment.
Resolution No. 669: National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC): It created the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) in the Philippines to oversee the implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and promote sustainable waste management practices.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order No. 2019-09: It establishes guidelines for the rehabilitation and management of Manila Bay, with a focus on reducing pollution and ensuring sustainable development.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order No. 2018-19: It aims to improve the management of hazardous wastes. It provides guidelines for the environmentally sound handling of hazardous wastes to minimize their negative impact on human health and the environment.
RA 11898: Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022, Article 2, Sec. 44-D: "...obliged enterprises shall...establish or phase-in EPR programs for plastic packaging to achieve efficient management of plastic packaging waste, reduced production, importation, supply or use of plastic packaging..."
Financial Environment
RA 9003: Ecological Solid Waste Management Act Chapter IV, Section 45 (3) Financial Assistance Program "Government financial institutions...shall...accord high priority to extend financial services to individuals, enterprises, or private entities engaged in solid waste management."
RA 11898: Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022, Article 2, Sec. 7 (b) (1) Fiscal Incentives (b) The EPR expenses of obliged enterprises...shall be considered as necessary expenses deductible from gross income..."
RA 11898 or the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022 provides fiscal incentives to enterprises adhering to the law. Section 45 (1) (b) states that EPR expenses of obliged enterprises shall be considered as necessary expenses deductible from gross income.
Regulatory Environment
RA 9003: Ecological Solid Waste Management Act: It aims to promote a proper solid waste management system in the country. It aims to reduce the volume of waste generated, increase recycling efforts, and ensure proper disposal of hazardous waste to protect public health and the environment.
Resolution No. 669: National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC): It created the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) in the Philippines to oversee the implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and promote sustainable waste management practices.
RA 8749: Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999: It aims to protect public health and the environment by controlling air pollution. It sets standards and guidelines for air quality, regulates emissions from vehicles and industries, and promotes the use of cleaner technologies.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order No. 2019-21: It aims to provide guidelines for the establishment and operation of materials recovery facilities (MRFs) in local government units (LGUs) as part of the country's solid waste management efforts.
Marketplace Participants
Private Sector
Econest Wate Management Corp.; Greenways Management Services; ECOS Sanitary Landfill and Waste Management Corporation; Sure Global W2W1 PTE, Ltd; Austworks Corporation; Global Green International Energy Philippines, Inc., Plastic Bank, GreenAntz Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) Aboitiz Capital Tana Oy, Ace Waste Pty Ltd., Cleanway Technology Corporation, Delitek AS Envirosuite, Maritrans Recycler., Inc. SM Prime Holdings
Government
Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Public-Private Partnership Center; Provincial Government of Catanduanes; City of General Santos; Quezon City; Province of Bataan
Multilaterals
World Wide Fund for Nature; Japan International Cooperation Agency; United Nations Development Programme; World Bank; Asian Development Bank
Non-Profit
Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation; Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines; Caritas Manila; Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement; Greenpeace, Mother Earth Foundation
Public-Private Partnership
Catanduanes Solid Waste Management Project; General Santos City Sanitary Landfill Project; Quezon City Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility Project
Target Locations
Philippines: Western Visayas
Philippines: Central Visayas
Philippines: Bicol Region
Philippines: Davao Region
References
- (1) NEDA. Philippine Development Plan 2023 to 2028 https://pdp.neda.gov.ph/philippine-development-plan-2023-2028/
- (2) INFF. Development Finance Assessment 2022. https://medium.com/@jp.inff.ph/2022-development-finance-assessment-shows-ph-financing-landscape-in-the-time-of-covid-19-and-the-68dcc39bcc19
- (3) Savoy, C. and Staguhn, J. (2022). The Role of Water in Catalyzing Gender Equity. Center for Strategic & International Studies. https://www.csis.org/analysis/role-water-catalyzing-gender-equity#:~:text=The%20United%20Nations%20highlights%20three,access%20to%20a%20water%20source.
- (4) KMC SAVILLS. https://kmcmaggroup.com/research-insights/2014/poor-infrastructure-impedes-ph-from-attaining-maximum-growth/
- (5) PSA. Majority Families have Access to Improved Source of Drinking Water https://psa.gov.ph/content/majority-families-have-access-improved-source-drinking-water-results-2022-annual-poverty"
- (6) NEDA. Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Plan 2019 - 2030. https://neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/120921_PWSSMP_Main-Report.pdf"
- (7) UNICEF. 2 Billion People Lacking Safe Water Twice Lack Safe Sanitation. https://www.unicef.org/philippines/press-releases/two-billion-people-lack-safe-drinking-water-more-twice-lack-safe-sanitation#:~:text=Around%2099%25%20of%20the%20one-fifth%20wealthiest%20households%20are,20%20million%20lack%20access%20to%20basic%20sanitation%20facilities"
- (8) World Bank. Market Study for Philippines Plastic Circularity Opportunities and Barriers Report. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/philippines/publication/market-study-for-philippines-plastics-circularity-opportunities-and-barriers-report-landing-page"
- (9) Business Mirror. Philippines only has 10% of Needed Sanitary Landfill, DENR. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/02/05/phl-only-has-10-percent-of-needed-sanitary-landfills-says-denr-exec/"
- (10) Cruspero, R. (2023, June 25). Private consortium eyes PHP100-M project to manage, operate sanitary landfill. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1123160
- (11) Mayuga, J. (2021 January 10). The garbage conundrum. Business Mirror. https://www.denr.gov.ph/images/DENR_News_Alerts/DENR_News_Alerts_10_January_2021_Sunday.pdf
- (12) Philippine News Agency. (2022 May 30). Solid waste segregation remains major challenge in PH: DENR chief. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1175460
- (13) Rappler (2022) https://www.rappler.com/environment/informal-waste-work-women-twice-vulnerable-invisible/
- (14) Business Mirror/DENR, 2021. https://www.denr.gov.ph/images/DENR_News_Alerts/DENR_News_Alerts_10_January_2021_Sunday.pdf
- (15) SMEC, (2016). FS on Small-Scale WTE Plants
- (16) Statista. https://www.statista.com/forecasts/1222059/waste-collection-revenue-in-the-philippines
- (17) NEDA (2020 December) https://nro13.neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Pre-FS-Upgrading-of-Solid-Waste-Management-System.pdf
- (18) ADB (2016 December) Prefeasibility Study – Conventional Waste-to- Energy Project in Quezon City
- (19) Enventix, Inc. (n.d.) Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). https://enventixinc.com/municipal-solids-waste/
- (20) Precedence Research (n.d.) Waste Management Market (By Waste Type: Hazardous Waste, E-waste, Municipal Waste, Plastic Waste, Industrial Waste, Others; By Service Type: Collection, Open Dumping, Incineration/Combustion, Landfill, Recycling; By End User: Residential, Commercial, Industrial) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Regional Outlook, and Forecast 2023-2030. https://www.precedenceresearch.com/waste-management-market
- (21) QC Solid Waste Management Project https://ppp.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/PPPC_PROJ_QC-Intgrated-Proj-Info-Memo.pdf