Background and Social Cause
In Baguio City, despite being recognized as one of the most prominent cities for its clean environment, the city has been facing a significant waste management problem, generating tons of waste daily. One major issue is the lack of long-term waste management planning, which has caused its only sanitary landfill in neighboring provinces, such as Pangasinan, to reach or approach its capacity (Agoot, 2025). This dependence on transporting waste to other provinces highlights a serious infrastructural challenge for the city.
Solid waste management problems are not only environmental concerns—they are also influenced by social factors. The way people live, think, and behave significantly affects how much waste is produced and how it is managed. In many communities, waste problems occur not only because large amounts of trash are generated, but also because of how people handle waste in their daily lives.
For example, population growth increases the amount of garbage produced in homes, schools, and businesses. As more people settle in an area, greater quantities of food waste, plastic, paper, and other materials are discarded each day. When waste collection systems cannot keep up with this increase, trash often accumulates in streets, waterways, and vacant lots, creating environmental and public health concerns.
