MMDA Refuse Management Regulation, Metro Manila

Legal basis and related issuances

Republic Act No. 7924 mandates the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to set policies and coordinate and regulate programs and projects on proper and sanitary waste management and disposal in Metropolitan Manila.
Republic Act No. 7924 further expands MMDA health and sanitation functions to include urban protection and pollution control through adoption and implementation of policies, rules, regulations, standards, and related programs and projects.
Section 6 directs that biomedical waste produced by covered facilities is regulated by MMAB Ordinance No. 16 Series of 1991, as amended by MMDA Regulation No. 98-008.
Section 7.1 authorizes enforcement through MMDA environmental/sanitation police/enforcers and deputized representatives, agents, sanitary enforcers/inspectors.

Policy statement and target problem

The regulation is grounded on the requirement that refuse/solid waste in Metropolitan Manila, if not properly segregated, collected, and disposed of, can endanger inhabitants to diseases and create public nuisance.
The regulation is aimed at safeguarding health and sanitation by promoting proper refuse management at source through segregation, storage, collection, transport, and related controls.
The regulation implements a color-coded system and handling standards designed to prevent improper disposal and unsafe waste exposure.

Coverage: who must comply where

Section 1 applies the regulation throughout the Metropolitan Manila Area.
The regulation binds households, firms, corporations, commercial or business establishments, institutions, and occupants, owners, tenants, and lessees of industrial establishments.
The regulation binds refuse collectors, disposal area operators, and junk dealers.
The regulation binds private scavengers and all other persons generating, accumulating, storing, collecting, transporting, processing, treating, utilizing, and disposing refuse or other waste material in Metro Manila.
Section 1 expressly covers activities related to refuse from generation through disposal within Metropolitan Manila.

Waste classification and defined categories

Section 2 classifies refuse/solid waste into biodegradable waste, non-biodegradable waste, hazardous waste, pathological waste, and bulky waste.
Biodegradable waste is defined as material that can be reduced into finer particles by microbiological organisms or enzymes, including domestic kitchen-type waste such as left-over foods and waste from dietary preparation, and garden refuse from cuttings/loppings of grasses, trees, bushes, shrubs, flowers, seeds, or similar materials.
Non-biodegradable waste is defined as inorganic solid waste that does not undergo decomposition and is non-compostable and non-putrescible, including specified examples such as plastic bags, styrofoam, tetra pack, sachet (shampoo, coffee, milk, soap), softdrinks straws, electronic plastics, venetian blind, ballpen items, ceramic ashes, film negatives, pictures, and housekeeping/building waste from sweepings and debris.
Hazardous waste is defined as waste potentially dangerous to the environment and health due to chemical reactivity, toxicity, flammability, and explosiveness, including sharps and needles, glass, dry cell/household batteries, fluorescent bulbs, aerosol, thinners, paints and lacquers, and disinfectants and bleaching agents in gas, solid, or liquid form.
Pathological waste is defined to include tissues, organs, body parts, and human fetuses from surgical operations, biopsy and autopsy, and also includes animal carcases, blood, and body fluids from patient services.
Bulky waste includes broken furniture, appliances, sala sets, mattresses, beds, and tree trimmings of weight and size exceeding 1.2 meters in length.

Segregation, storage, and on-site rules

Section 3 establishes minimum standards for sanitary segregation and storage of refuse pending collection.
Sorting at source is required, and recycling and composing are promoted.
Section 3.1 requires a separate color-coded container for each type of waste in all establishments and dwelling units.
Section 3.2 requires color coding for use: biodegradable waste (green), non-biodegradable waste (black), and hazardous waste (red); if color-coded bags are absent, bags must be tied with the corresponding color for identification.
Section 3.3 provides standard color coding for discharge and storage:
- Black for non-biodegradable general waste
- Green for biodegradable general waste
- Red for hazardous waste
- Yellow for pathological waste, with a rule that it is not for city and municipal regular collection and disposal, but must be handled per Metro Manila rules and regulations on the collection and disposal of infectious and potentially infectious wastes.
Section 3.4 requires containers sufficient for the total volume produced within the collection period of 2–3 days, with tight covers and well attached hinged lids to prevent foul odors and vermin entry; it sets maximum bag weights:
- 7.0 kilograms from residential areas
- 15 kilograms from establishments
Section 3.5 allows other accumulation between collection only in a container easily lifted/handled without spillage by the collector, and only at the designated collection point and designated time.
Section 3.6 requires bulky waste to be collected separately or scheduled for special collection.
Section 3.7 allows tree trimmings outside a container only if bundled with convenient weight/size exceeding 1.20 meters in length.
Section 3.8 requires ashes to be placed only in plastic, metal or equivalent containers with covers; other wastes must be in sturdy containers that will not break, fall apart, rip, or tear during handling.
Section 3.9 subjects bulk handling and storage to review by the local health officer as recommended by the sanitary engineer/sanitation inspector, and requires owners/occupants to make provisions the local health officer may require.
Section 3.10 requires broken glasses/lamps and sharps to be securely enclosed in hard-cardboard with tie to prevent injury and tearing of red bags/containers.
Section 3.11 prohibits burning of waste at source.
Section 3.12 requires soiled food containers and washable items (beverage tin cans, bottles, and other washable containers) to be thoroughly washed and dried before placing inside black-coded trash bags.
Section 3.13 requires color-coded trash bags to be labeled or tagged with the name and address of the institution/owner of the house or establishments.

Collection: sanitary and enforcement-linked duties

Section 4 sets sanitary requirements for refuse/sold waste collection.
Section 4.1 requires all refuse collectors, drivers, and collection personnel to wear proper uniforms, carry identification cards, and possess an up-to-date health certificate issued by the local health officer.
Section 4.2 requires annual medical check-ups; it makes the health certificate non-transferable and requires renewal at least once a year, and requires attachment of health certificates to the upper portion of the collector garment while working.
Section 4.3 requires use of personal protective paraphernalia by collectors and collection personnel.
Section 4.4 requires MMDA to give collectors an orientation emphasizing refuse storage, color coding scheme, handling, recycling, and disposal.
Section 4.5 prohibits collectors from collecting refuse that is not sorted/segregated using color-coding and labeling.
Section 4.6 requires collectors to empty and return all containers to the designated collection area carefully and to collect paper and other temporary containers.
Section 4.7 prohibits collectors from denting, bending, damaging, or altering container condition.
Section 4.8 permits non-return of a container in poor condition only until repair/replacement is requested by the owner; it requires the collector to inform the owner afterward.
Section 4.9 prohibits leaving behind spilled contents or refuse falling out of the collection vehicle, and requires that after collection and prior to transport a deodorizer should be sprayed on the collected refuse/solid waste.
Section 4.10 requires any observer of violations to report the vehicle plate number, date, place, and time of the incident to the MMDA or local health office or the main office of the refuse collection service.
Section 4.11 prohibits scavenging during collection and storage.
Section 4.12 requires waste containers/bags to be brought outside the property line of residents only during scheduled/designated time and upon arrival of garbage collectors.

Transportation: vehicle design, handling, and sanitation

Section 5 provides specific requirements for transportation of refuse/solid waste.
Section 5.1.1 requires the vehicle be constructed preferably with two compartments:
- green-painted compartment for biodegradable wastes
- black-painted compartment for non-biodegradable wastes
- as an alternative, separate placement within the vehicle or a separate schedule for collection may be practiced when such vehicle type is not available.
Section 5.1.2 requires that for vehicles with a built-in compactor, only non-biodegradable wastes are compacted, while biodegradable wastes are hauled in a specially designed compartment.
Section 5.1.3 requires special types of wastes to be collected on a separate vehicle with necessary precautions.
Section 5.2.1 requires every vehicle’s hauling body to be constructed of metal, or to have metal lining on the floor and all side walls.
Section 5.2.2 requires all joints in the hauling body to be effectively closed and smooth so no dripping or leakage of draining water or liquid debris can occur.
Section 5.3.1 requires every vehicle to have a means of covering refuse and keeping it securely within the hauling body.
Section 5.3.2 requires the hauling body to have at least one acceptable covering arrangement:
- a tight metal hood with adequate openings and smoothly operating loading/unloading doors, or
- a heavy tarpaulin or other canvas cover with eyes, grommets, tie ropes, and hooks to hold the cover securely.
Section 5.3.3 prohibits loading refuse above the side wall height.
Section 5.4.1 requires vehicles to be kept well painted, clean, and in good condition.
Section 5.4.2 requires vehicles to be washed and applied with disinfectant/deodorizer as often as necessary and at least once a week to prevent persistent odors.
Section 5.4.3 requires that vehicles be cleaned and properly treated before being used for any other purposes.
Section 5.4.4 requires a wash bay area for vehicles be approved by the local health officer.
Section 5.5.1 requires every vehicle carry the name, logo, and telephone number of the refuse contractor/agency/collecting refuse, the vehicle license plate number, and the name of the city or municipality being served, with letters not less than 10 centimeters (4 inches) in height.
Section 5.5.2 requires the lettering/logo to be painted on the side wall with a color in contrast to the vehicle color.
Section 5.5.3 permits other vehicle uses by requiring placement of lettering/logo on a separate durable plaque fixed to the vehicle when used for refuse collection.
Section 5.6.1 prohibits loading in a manner that allows material to swing off, fall out, or jar loose and fall while in motion.
Section 5.6.2 requires loose paper/trash/small materials to be secured against wind dispersal, jiggling, or jarring that can allow them to blow or fall out.
Section 5.6.3 requires containers holding garbage, swill, or waste matter transported in vehicles to also comply with container requirements under the implementing rules.

Biomedical waste management coverage by ordinance

Section 6 subjects waste produced by government and private hospitals, research institutions, medical, dental and veterinary clinics, laboratories, funeral parlors, and blood banks to regulation under MMA Ordinance No. 16 Series of 1991 as amended by MMDA Regulation No. 98-008.

Administrative procedure, fines, business permit condition

Section 7.1 requires violators to be issued a Citation/Violation Ticket by MMDA environmental/sanitation police/enforcers or deputized representatives, agents, and sanitary enforcers/inspectors, stating the nature of the infraction and the corresponding fines to be paid.
Section 7.2 assigns liability for corporate violations: for corporations, firms, institutions, and other corporate entities, the president, manager, or person responsible for operation is held liable; the head or owner of mall, condominium, tenement house, and household is the respondent in any case of violation.
Section 7.3 imposes administrative fine alternatives by offense count:
- First offense: PHP 1,000.00 or community service of two (2) days and compulsory seminar for one (1) day
- Second offense: PHP 3,000.00 or community service of four (4) days and compulsory seminar for one (1) day
- Third offense: PHP 5,000.00 or community service of six (6) days and compulsory seminar for one (1) day
Section 7.4 makes compliance with the regulation a prerequisite to issuance or renewal of a business permit for commercial and industrial establishments.

Fine collection, allocation, and rulemaking

Section 8.1 requires payments of fines for violation to be made at Treasury Operations Service, MMDA, Guadalupe, Makati City.
Section 8.2 allocates collected fines as follows:
- 45% to the MMDA as a special fund for implementation of the regulation
- 20% to the LGU where the violation was committed
- 20% to the Barangay where the violation was committed for development projects supporting the regulation
- 5% to fund an incentive program supporting the regulation
- 10% to fund Research and Development Projects related to waste management
Section 8.2.6 authorizes the MMDA Chairman to issue rules, implementing guidelines, and systems of procedures regarding, among others, Environmental Citation Ticket issuance, payments of fines, and related processes.

Penal provision and court punishment

Section 9 penalizes violations by imprisonment of not exceeding six (6) months, or a corresponding fine of not exceeding FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P5,000.00), or both, depending on the court’s discretion.
The penal provision applies to any person who violates, disobeys, refuses, omits, or neglects to comply with any provision of the regulation.

Information campaign and timing for enforcement

Section 10 requires MMDA to enforce the regulation after conducting a three (3) month Information-Dissemination Campaign in Metropolitan Manila.

Adoption and formal signatures

The regulation is adopted on 25 Feb 1999 and is signed by the Chairman and Members of the Metro Manila Council, including city/mayoral representatives and league presidents as reflected in the adoption signatures.