IRR of Chapter XVIII Refuse Disposal P.D. 856

Issuing authority, coverage, and scope

The implementing rules apply to all occupants, owners, tenants, and lessees of buildings and dwelling houses.
The implementing rules apply to owners or operators of industrial, commercial and business establishments, and to local government units, other government agencies, and government-owned or controlled corporations.
The implementing rules apply to private firms or corporations, institutions, refuse collectors, disposal area operators, junk dealers, scavengers, and all other persons and entities generating, accumulating, storing, collecting, transporting, processing, treating, utilizing, and disposing refuse or other waste matter.
The rules establish a regulatory framework requiring permits and prescribing minimum sanitary standards for refuse/solid-waste management.

Definitions used in the rules

The rules define “Agricultural Waste” as waste generated from planting/harvesting crops, trimming/prawning of plants, and farm-field run-off materials.
The rules define “Biodegradable Waste” as any material that can be reduced into finer particles through micro-biological organisms or enzymes.
The rules define “Chemical Waste” as discarded solid, liquid, and gaseous chemicals and classify chemicals as hazardous when toxic, corrosive (acids of pH <2 and bases of pH >12), flammable, reactive (explosive, water reactive, shock sensitive), or genotoxic; otherwise chemicals are non-hazardous.
The rules define “Contamination” as the presence of pathogenic organisms, suspended air emissions, heavy metals, chemicals, and other pollutants in an inanimate article or substance.
The rules define “Department” as the Department of Health.
The rules define key waste categories including “Domestic Refuse,” “General Waste,” “Hazardous Waste,” “Infectious Waste,” “Industrial Refuse,” “Pathological Waste,” and “Pharmaceutical Waste.”
The rules define technical terms including “Sanitary Landfill,” “Sanitary Permit,” “Operating Permit,” “Disposal Area,” “Refuse or Solid Waste,” “Refuse or Solid Waste Management,” “Resource Recovery,” and “Ecological Waste Management.”
The rules define personnel/roles including “Sanitary Engineer” and “Sanitation Inspector,” and local authorities including “Local Health Authority” and “Local Health Officer.”

Permits, registration, and permit control

Operating permit requirement: Persons, corporations, local government units, public agencies, and institutions owning/managing/operating refuse collection services and refuse disposal areas and facilities must first secure an operating permit from the regional health office concerned prior to operation (Section 3.1.1).
Operating permit application requirements: The proponent must submit (a) letter of application, (b) project description, (c) locational plan, and (d) technical specifications/descriptions of facilities/equipment (Section 3.1.2).
Operating permit evaluation: The regional health office through the sanitary engineer must conduct evaluation and site validation before issuing the operating permit (Section 3.1.3).
Operating permit suspension/revocation: The regional director shall suspend or revoke an operating permit upon violation of the rules (Section 3.1.4).
Operating-permit exemptions: The following are exempted from the operating permit requirement but must register with the local health office and comply with sanitary requirements for collection/transport/disposal:
- Industrial/commercial/business establishment operating its own collection service entirely for its benefit and disposing at a public disposal area (Section 3.1.5.a).
- Owner of farms collecting and disposing refuse on premises or disposing at a public refuse disposal area (Section 3.1.5.b).
- Owner/occupant feeding table scraps, swill or garbage to animals/fowls on premises, or collecting/transporting refuse using a vehicle owned and operated by him to a public disposal area (Section 3.1.5.c).
- Junk dealers and scavengers (Section 3.1.5.d).
- Person operating a feeding platform for feeding garbage or swill to swine (Section 3.1.5.e).
- All domestic garbage grinder installation and operation (Section 3.1.5.f).
Sanitary permit requirement: No person, firm, corporation, local government unit, public agency, or institution shall operate or manage refuse collection service, refuse disposal area and facilities, swill collection, junk dealership, private scavenging, or a swine feeding platform without a sanitary permit issued by the local health officer (Section 3.2.1).
Alterations require a new sanitary permit: Any extension, additional construction, or alteration requires a new sanitary permit before operation (Section 3.2.2).
Sanitary permit application/renewal: Applications for or renewal must be filed with the city/municipal health office having jurisdiction; the permit is issued upon compliance with at least a satisfactory rating using EHS Form No. 103-B; fees are paid to the local government unit and are set by city/municipal ordinance (Section 3.2.3).
Noting changes of ownership: If ownership changes, the new owner must apply within 14 working days to have the change noted in the records and permit certificate and must pay the corresponding fee (Section 3.2.4).
Sanitary permit validity: The permit is valid from the day of issuance until the last day of December of the same year and must be renewed at the beginning of each year; it shall be suspended or revoked for violation upon the recommendation of the local health officer to the local health authority (Section 3.2.5).
Posting and inspection: The sanitary permit must be posted in a conspicuous place and made available for inspection by authorized personnel (Section 3.2.6).
Local recordkeeping: Each city/municipality must keep a record of all sanitary permits and renewals, containing holder details, location, business nature, issue and renewal dates, changes in management, sanitary conditions when issued, and permit revocation; it must be available for inspection by authorized DOH or local government officers at reasonable times (Section 3.2.7).

Sanitary segregation and storage rules

Each type of waste requires a separate container in all establishments and dwelling units (Section 4.1).
Containers must be properly marked for on-site collection as “biodegradable waste,” “non-biodegradable waste,” “infectious waste,” “chemical waste,” “radioactive waste,” or “sharps” in bold letters with 5 centimeters height, or must be painted with a particular color identifying the waste or lined with color-coded plastic bags (Section 4.2).
The rules prescribe standard color coding:
- Black for storage of non-biodegradable general waste (Section 4.3.1).
- Green for storage of biodegradable general waste (Section 4.3.2).
- Yellow for storage of infectious and pathological waste (Section 4.3.3).
- Orange for storage of radioactive waste (Section 4.3.4).
- Red for storage of sharps and pressurized containers (or puncture-proof containers for sharps) (Section 4.3.5).
- Yellow with black band for storage of chemical waste (Section 4.3.6).
Containers must be sufficient in number/size to store total refuse volume produced within the 2–3 days collection period; containers must have tight closing and well-attached hinged lids to prevent odor escape and vermin entry; containers over 38 kilograms (10 gallons) must have handles or rollers; containers must be of non-corrosive lightweight, leak-proof materials (Section 4.4).
Other accumulation between collections may be placed only in easily lifted/handled containers without spillage, but must be placed only at designated collection points (Section 4.5).
Extraordinary accumulation or bulk refuse must be placed in appropriate containers acceptable to the collector and the local health officer (Section 4.6).
Tree trimmings may be collected outside a container only if secured in bundles not exceeding 1.20 meters in length (Section 4.7).
Ashes must be placed only in plastic, metal, or equivalent containers with covers (Section 4.8).
Bulk handling and storage require review by the local health officer as recommended by the sanitary engineer/sanitation inspector, and the owner/occupant must make such provisions as the local health officer requires (Section 4.9).

Collection and transportation standards

Operating permit for collectors: No refuse/solid-waste collection service is allowed without an operating permit issued by the regional health office (Section 5.1.1).
Sanitary permit for collectors: No refuse/solid-waste collection service may operate without a sanitary permit issued by the local health office, with application/renewal following Section 3.2 (Section 5.2.1).
Health certificate of collectors: Refuse collectors and drivers involved in collection must possess an up-to-date health certificate issued by the local health officer (Section 5.3.1).
Non-transferability and annual renewal: Health certificates are non-transferable and must be renewed at least once a year; they must be attached to the upper portion of the collector’s garment while working (Section 5.3.2).
Personal protective equipment: Collectors and collection personnel must be provided with and required to use personal protective equipment (Section 5.3.3).
Orientation: The local health office must provide orientation emphasizing refuse storage, color-coding, handling, recycling, and disposal (Section 5.3.4).
No collection of unsorted waste: Collectors shall not be allowed to collect refuse not sorted/segregated by color-coding or labeling (Section 5.3.5).
Handling and container return: Collectors must empty and return all containers to the designated collection area with care and may leave paper/temporary containers unemptied unless the occupant/owner requested return (Section 5.4.1–5.4.2).
No damage or alteration: Collectors must not dent, bend, damage, or alter container condition (Section 5.4.3).
Poor-condition containers: A container in poor condition must not be returned unless specifically requested; collectors must inform the owner to repair or replace (Section 5.4.4).
No spillage left behind: Collectors must not leave behind spilled contents, refuse falling out of the collection vehicle, or refuse properly placed in the designated collection area (Section 5.4.5).
Incident reporting: Any person observing a violation must report the collection vehicle’s plate number, incident date, and time to the local health office or main office of the refuse collection service (Section 5.4.6).
Transportation approval: Every vehicle used for transporting refuse must be approved by the local health officer as recommended by the sanitary engineer/sanitation inspector (Section 6.1.1).
Transportation operation under permit holder: The vehicle must be owned by and/or operated under the supervision of the sanitary permit holder to transport refuse (Section 6.1.2).
Vehicle compartments: Vehicles should preferably have two compartments—biodegradable waste painted green and non-biodegradable waste painted black; if not, separate placement within the vehicle or separate collection schedule must be used (Section 6.2.1).
Compactor rule: For built-in compactor vehicles, only non-biodegradable wastes may be compacted; biodegradable wastes must be hauled in a specially designed compartment (Section 6.2.2).
Special types collected separately: Special wastes must be collected on a separate vehicle with necessary precautions (Section 6.2.3).
Metal hauling body: Hauling bodies must be metal or must have metal lining on floor and all side walls (Section 6.3.1).
Closed joints: Hauling body joints must be effectively closed and smooth to prevent drippage/leakage (Section 6.3.2).
Vehicle cover requirement: Vehicles must have a means of covering refuse and keeping it securely inside the hauling body (Section 6.4.1).
Acceptable covers: The hauling body must use either (a) a tight metal hood with adequate smoothly operating loading/unloading doors or (b) a heavy tarpaulin/canvas cover with proper eyes, grommets, and tie ropes/hooks (Section 6.4.2).
No overloading without permanent cover: A vehicle without a permanent cover may not be loaded above the sidewall height (Section 6.4.3).
Maintenance and cleanliness: Vehicles must be kept well painted, clean, and in good condition; vehicles must be washed and disinfected/deodorized as often as necessary and at least once a week; vehicles must be cleaned and properly disinfected before other use (Section 6.5.1–6.5.3).
Wash bay area: Provision for a wash bay area must be approved by the local health officer (Section 6.5.4).
Vehicle markings: Vehicles must carry the refuse contractor/agency name, logo, and telephone number; letters must be at least 10 centimeters (4 inches) tall, placed on the sidewall with contrasting color, or placed on a separate durable plaque if the vehicle has other uses (Section 6.6.1–6.6.3).
Safe loading: Vehicles may not be loaded in a way that permits material to swing off, fall out, or jar loose while in motion; loose paper and small materials must be secured to prevent wind dispersal or falling out (Section 6.7.1–6.7.2).
Container compliance: When carrying containers holding garbage/swills/waste matter, those containers must meet the container requirements under these rules (Section 6.7.3).

Disposal areas, processing technologies, prohibitions

Operating permit for disposal areas: No disposal area may operate without an operating permit issued by the regional health office, with disposal-area approval following other existing national laws and regulations (Section 7.1.1).
Sanitary permit for disposal areas: No disposal area may operate without a sanitary permit issued by the local health office, with application/renewal under Section 3.2 (Section 7.1.2).
Adequate disposal capacity: The disposal area must be adequate to hold all refuse accepted for the entire period proposed to operate; capacity estimates must be supported by competent engineering data (Section 7.1.3).
No nearby dwellings: No dwelling unit may be closer than 200 meters to any portion of the landfill premises (Section 7.1.4.a).
No living/sleeping occupation: No person may occupy the disposal area for living or sleeping except authorized personnel/guards for resting while working/guarding (Section 7.1.4.b).
Drainage requirements: The disposal area must be kept free of standing water as much as feasible; new disposal area plans shall not be approved if subject to flooding; the disposal area must have sufficient natural/artificial drainage to keep standing water out; drainage from refuse disposal must be handled as sewage under Chapter XVII (“Sewage Collection and Disposal, Excreta Disposal and Drainage”) of P.D. 856 and its implementing rules (Section 7.1.5).
Accessibility: The disposal area must be accessible at all times over a hard-surfaced roadway; the access road must be kept free of hazards to vehicle tires; all access roads must be maintained, paved, and kept clean by the operator (Section 7.1.6).
Fire protection requirements: The property must have adequate facilities/equipment for controlling/extinguishing fires; when no fire water service is available from a public water system, the premises must have at least 32 liters per second at 2.82 kilograms per square centimeter (500 gallons per minute at 40 pounds per square inch), and must also provide one mobile foam type extinguisher or a fire truck approved by the local fire department (Section 7.1.7).
Refuse covering within 24 hours: All refuse must be covered with acceptable fill within 24 hours upon arrival (Section 7.1.8.a).
Cover depth minimum: Cover thickness and soil type are determined by the sanitary engineer, but cover depth must never be less than 15 centimeters (6 inches), with soil cover free of cracks and extrusion (Section 7.1.8.b).
Crack/extrusion control within 6 months: Cover materials must be placed so weather/rain compaction/decomposition will not open cracks or allow refuse extrusion within six (6) months (Section 7.1.8.c).
Required equipment: The disposal area must have required equipment including bulldozer, clam, bull clam, compactor, or equivalent equipment in sufficient capacity so fill can be covered according to schedules; equipment must be serviceable (Section 7.1.9).
Recording and posting: Disposal areas must list and post character and volume of refuse accepted at the entrance or adjacent office; permit holders must furnish a copy of the list to the local health office and public service office; the person in charge must keep monthly records of source and estimated volume/tonnage disposed with division by sources such as private/individuals/industrial/agricultural/processing plants/local refuse collection service, and records must be available for government inspection (Section 7.1.10).
Vermin control: Operators must maintain a vermin abatement program at all times; non-biodegradable wastes used as fill must be compacted to prevent vermin harborage; biodegradable waste cannot be used as fill (Section 7.1.11).
Garbage grinder sewer size and design increases:
- Domestic garbage grinders are permitted only when sewerage system or street sewer diameter is 20 centimeters (8 inches) or larger, proportionate to designed capacity (Section 7.2.1).
- When used, sludge capacity must increase by 0.23 kilogram (0.50 pound) dry solids per capita per day, flow capacity allowance increases by 2%, and filter treatment must recognize a 25% increase in Biochemical Oxygen Demand (B.O.D.) loading (Section 7.2.2).
- Grind-generated waste not thoroughly macerated to pass a number 16 (1/16 inch) wire mesh screen cannot be permitted in a house drainage system (Section 7.2.3).
Recycling segregation rules: Refuse must be segregated/sorted for re-use/recycling by categories:
- Factory returnable: non-biodegradable, non-compostable wastes such as tin cans, metals, bottles, glass (including broken pieces), plastics, styrofoam, rubber, dry paper/cardboard/cloth/fibers/leather/feather/hard shells/hard bones, and others must be segregated in separate containers and may be collected/returned to the factory (Section 7.3.1).
- Feed materials: food wastes and similar items must be collected and kept in covered containers for animal feed (Section 7.3.2).
- Fermentables/fruit crop peeling: fruit peelings and similar items may be processed into vinegar, wine, “nata de coco,” “nata de piña,” or similar fruit products (Section 7.3.3).
- Fertilizer materials: compostables/biodegradable materials including garden waste, animal waste, and human waste (including feces, urine, blood, all excreta, soiled wipes, pads, diapers excluding plastic cover) may be processed into compost for organic gardening (Section 7.3.4.a).
- Filling materials and fine crafts use specified compaction/mixing and craft-making materials (Sections 7.3.5–7.3.6).
- Food materials may be processed into pickles, sweets/candies, or snacks (Section 7.3.7).
- Fuel materials may be used as fuel materials including sawdust/wood shavings/rice hull/chaff/husks/shells/cobs/paper/cardboard/fibers (Section 7.3.8).
Burying limits: Burying is allowed only for temporary control such as in households and camps; only biodegradable solid wastes may be buried; burying must be within premises with pit refuse at least 1 meter deep covered with soil to prevent excavation by dogs/cats/pets; refuse may not be buried in a flood-prone area; the local health officer must prohibit burying if it is found to be a nuisance (Section 7.4).
Feeding to animals (hog feeding): Hog feeding of leftover food is allowed only if thoroughly cooked; leftover food must not be shipped/transferred from one town to another for hog feeding unless first cooked at 100°C for 30 minutes (Section 7.5).
Composting: Compost or decaying organic matter/material may be used as a soil conditioner, or when reinforced, as fertilizer (Section 7.6).
Open dumping prohibited: Open dumps are prohibited; if open dumping exists, the local health authority must supervise it strictly until conversion to an approved method (Section 7.7).
Water-body dumping prohibited: Dumping refuse/solid waste into streams, rivers, lakes, esteros, and other bodies of water is prohibited (Section 7.8).
Open burning prohibited: Outdoor burning of waste and burning of open waste dumps are prohibited (Section 7.9).
Other processing technologies require compliance and permits: Incineration, microwave technology, autoclave technology, and other solid waste processing/disposal methods must comply with pertinent laws and standards of appropriate government agencies; no such technology is allowed without an operating permit issued by the regional health office; permit application/renewal follows Section 3.2 (Sections 7.10.1–7.10.3).
Open dumping and burning restrictions: Disposal methods involving open dumping and open waste dumps are prohibited under the rules’ express prohibitions (Sections 7.7–7.9).

Recovered materials and junk/food retrieval

Supervision for recovery: Sorting, picking, recovering, or retrieving refuse/solid waste is permitted only under strict supervision of the local health office (Section 8.1.1).
Sanitation of recovered glass: Recovered bottles or glass articles must be cleaned and disinfected in a manner prescribed by the local health officer (Section 8.1.2).
Sanitation requirement for textiles: Clothes, rags, beddings, upholstered furniture, or textile materials of cotton, kapok, wool, plastic, foam, or similar materials may be retrieved only when sensitizing equipment exists; such materials must be sanitized prior to reuse or recycling (Section 8.1.3).
Recovery records by permit holder: Permit holders must keep accurate records by weight/volume/numerical count as appropriate of recovered articles and the disposition of those articles; records must be available for inspection by authorized local government personnel (Section 8.1.4).

Junk dealers, scavengers, and relevant permit rules

Sanitary permit for junk dealing/recycling: No person or entity may engage in recycling and collection/disposal of junk, old/used/secondhand materials—including rags, clothing, paper, rubbish, bottles, rubber, plastic, iron, brass, copper or other metals, furniture, motor parts, or any article classified as junk—without a sanitary permit issued by the local health officer (Section 8.2.1.a).
Junk permit application/renewal: Application and renewal follow Section 3.2 (Section 8.2.1.b).
Food waste collection permit limitation: Sanitary permits for junk dealers are issued only for collection of waste food, damaged food, or condemned/retained food products if used for composting or other approved disposal method, provided storage (temperature control) complies with these rules (Section 8.2.1.c).
Health certificate compliance: Health certificate requirements for junk dealers, scavengers, and workers follow the personnel rules under Section 5.3 (Section 8.2.2.a).
Approved premises/shelter: Junk dealers must have premises and shelter approved by the local health office (Section 8.2.3.a).
Clean dry storage for certain materials: Specified textiles and materials must be kept in a clean, dry place free from mildew, fungal growth, and damaging elements (Section 8.2.3.b).
Vermin-proof premises layout: Materials must be piled/stacked/stored in bins/lockers/containers so no portion of premises can be or is likely a vermin infestation harborage (Section 8.2.3.c).
Aisle width: A clear and unobstructed aisle of at least 1.20 meters must be provided and maintained for inspection (Section 8.2.3.d).
Fence requirement for exterior premises: If not entirely enclosed in a building, exterior premises must be enclosed by a tight fence of wood or other approved material; no articles may pass through surreptitiously or otherwise (Section 8.2.3.e).
Sanitation of secondhand glassware intended for food/drinks: Secondhand glassware/bottles intended for holding food and drinks must be cleaned and disinfected when brought to the premises or before mixed with clean articles (Section 8.2.3.f).
Food-establishment sanitation standards: Cleaning and disinfecting must follow the standards of Chapter III (“Food Establishments”) of P.D. 856 and its implementing rules (Section 8.2.3.f.i).
Sanitization of upholstered/clothing materials: Upholstery/furniture containing hair/felt/kapok/wool and articles of clothing/footwear/rags and similar items must be sanitized before being placed with disinfected/sanitized articles or offered to any person (Section 8.2.3.g).
General sanitation facilities: Sanitary conveniences, facilities, water supply, lighting, ventilation, and other requirements must follow Chapter VII (“Industrial Hygiene”) of P.D. 856 and its implementing rules (Section 8.2.3.h).

Food waste retrieval operator rules

**Sanitary permit and