Material Recovery Facilities in the Philippines: Policy, Practice and Pathways to Sustainability

Abstract

This research consists purposes were to study examines deficiencies in solid waste management in the Philippines, concentrating on the policies of Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and their consequences. It clears up national and local MRF rules, finds important problems, and makes suggestions on how to fix them based on a thorough analysis of literature from 2001 to mid-2025. The examination of 18 documents indicates that Republic Act 9003 substantially augmented the quantity of MRFs from 6,957 in 2010 to 13,612 in 2018. Some of the main problems are inadequate enforcement of policies, limited MRF functionality (only 30.92% of barangays had MRFs in 2018), and a lack of public knowledge. Successful strategies include using the current infrastructure efficiently, having centralized facilities, and including the informal garbage sector. Researchers want more difficult enforcement of the rules, more public involvement, more instructional programs, and new ways to get funding to make MRFs work better and encourage sustainable waste management in the Philippines.