Half a kilo – the average amount of garbage that a Metro Manila resident generates daily.

Metro Manila alone produces over 6.4 million kilograms of garbage every day, according to the National Solid Waste Management Commission Secretariat based at the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB). Unmanaged domestic, commercial and industrial wastes contribute to environmental pollution and threaten human health.

Business establishments can contribute to managing the waste problem by applying innovative and practical ecological solid waste management practices.

The Zero Basura Olympics for Business 2009 calls on businesses nationwide to showcase their good practices in waste management. ZBO is a venue for companies to present and be recognized for their green efforts.

Philippine-registered companies may submit entries on all or any of the five categories, namely, waste segregation, reduction, re-use/recycling, composting, and green technology for residual waste. Interested companies may register by emailing pbsp@pbsp.org.ph. Deadline is September 30, 2009.

The organizers are Philippine Business for Social Progress, Philippine Business for the Environment and Earth Day Network Philippines, Inc., with the support of the Pollution Control Association of the Philippines, Inc., Association of Safety Practitioners of the Philippines, Inc.

ZBO was created to support the implementation of ESWM Act 2000, a comprehensive law that creates mechanisms and incentives to address the country’s garbage problem.