A visiting Indian expert on zero-waste programs in rural tourist destinations lauded the efforts of Alaminos City in Pangasinan due to the significant drop in the city’s solid waste generation from 25 tons to 18 tons per day.

Speaking at a forum convened by Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza and environment group Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), Shibu Nair noted how waste problem can become an opportunity to change behavior, clean up the environment, and invigorate the local economy.

He cited Alaminos City’s 10-year plan for managing its solid waste that saw significant result with the drop in solid waste generation from 25 tons per day in 2004 to 18 tons per day at present.

It is where tourist destination Hundred Islands is located.

“The application of zero-waste helps change prevailing perception and attitude on waste, an evidence of inefficiency, by enhancing personal, institutional, social and environmental relationships,” Nair said.

Nair is a member of the civil society group Thanal based in Kerala, India. He is also co-author of “A Handbook on Waste Management in Rural Tourism Areas: A Zero Waste Approach” published in 2008 by the Ministry of Tourism of the Government of India and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as part of a project that seeks to provide sustainable livelihood in selected villages in 20 states across India. (Ellalyn B. De Vera)