QuestionsQuestions (MMDA REGULATION NO. 99-004)
The regulation is promulgated pursuant to Section 6 of Republic Act No. 7924, which mandates the MMDA to set policies, coordinate, and regulate programs and projects on proper and sanitary waste management and disposal in Metro Manila, including health, sanitation, urban protection, and pollution control.
It applies throughout Metro Manila to households, firms, corporations, establishments, institutions, occupants, owners, tenants, lessees of industrial establishments, refuse collectors, disposal area operators, junk dealers, private scavengers, and all persons generating, storing, collecting, transporting, processing, treating, utilizing, or disposing refuse or other waste in Metro Manila.
Biodegradable waste is material that can be degraded by microbiological organisms or enzymes (e.g., kitchen leftovers, dietary prep waste, garden refuse). Non-biodegradable waste is inorganic solid waste that does not decompose and is non-compostable/no-putrescible (e.g., plastics, styrofoam, tetra pack, sachets, electronic plastics, film negatives, pictures, sweepings/building debris).
Hazardous waste is waste potentially dangerous to health and the environment due to chemical reactivity, toxicity, flammability, or explosiveness. Examples include sharps/needles/blades/scalpels, nails/saws/glass, dry cell batteries, fluorescent bulbs, aerosol, thinners, paints and lacquers, disinfectants, and bleaching agents.
Pathological waste includes tissues, organs, body parts, human fetuses from surgical operations/biopsy/autopsy; and also animal carcasses, blood, and body fluids usually from patient services. The regulation provides that yellow containers are not for city/municipal regular collection and disposal, but must follow separate Metro Manila rules on infectious/potentially infectious waste.
The regulation requires separate color-coded containers for each waste type: green for biodegradable, black for non-biodegradable, red for hazardous, and yellow for pathological waste (with special handling rules). In the absence of color-coded bags, the bag used must be tied with the corresponding color for identification.
Containers must be sufficient in number/size to store total waste produced within the 2–3 day collection period; equipped with tight covers and well-attached hinged lids to prevent odors and vermin; and must meet maximum weight per bag of 7.0 kg for residential areas and 15 kg for establishments.
No burning of waste is allowed at source, and no scavenging is allowed during the collection and storage of refuse.
Containers/bags must be brought outside the resident’s property line only during the scheduled/designated time and upon arrival of garbage collectors.
Collectors are not allowed to collect unsorted/unsegregated refuse using the color-coding scheme and labeling; they must not dent/damage containers; must not leave spilled contents behind; must not leave behind refuse properly placed at the designated collection area; and must not collect refuse that violates segregation requirements.
They must wear proper uniforms and identification cards and possess an up-to-date health certificate issued by the local health officer, undergo annual medical check-ups, use personal protective paraphernalia, and have their health certificates attached to their garments while working.
Vehicles are preferably constructed with two compartments: green for biodegradable and black for non-biodegradable. If not available, segregation must be practiced via separate placement within the vehicle or separate schedules for collection. For vehicles with built-in compactor, only non-biodegradable waste may be compacted, while biodegradable waste must be hauled in a specially designed compartment. Special types of wastes must be collected on separate vehicles with necessary precautions.
Hauling bodies must be metal (or have metal lining) with smooth closed joints to prevent leakage/dripping; vehicles must have means of covering refuse securely (tight metal hood or heavy tarpaulin/canvas with grommets/ropes); vehicles must not be loaded above side-wall height; vehicles must be kept clean, well painted, in good condition, washed and disinfected/deodorized as necessary (at least weekly), and cleaned before use for other purposes.
If the violator is a corporation/firm/institution, the president, manager, or responsible person for its operation is held liable. For malls, condominiums, tenement houses, and households, the head or owner is the respondent in any case of violation.
First offense: P1,000.00 or community service of two (2) days and compulsory seminar for one (1) day. Second offense: P3,000.00 or community service of four (4) days and compulsory seminar for one (1) day. Third offense: P5,000.00 or community service of six (6) days and compulsory seminar for one (1) day.
Compliance is a prerequisite to the issuance or renewal of business permits for commercial and industrial establishments.
Any person who violates, disobeys, refuses, omits, or neglects to comply with any provision may be punished by imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months, or the corresponding fine not exceeding P5,000, or both, depending on the court’s discretion.