The Manila Surfers Association has collaborated with the Haribon Foundation to begin the process of saving a local surfing area from further regression from improper waste disposal. A Waste Analysis Characterizations Survey (WACS) has already been conducted, but the work has just begun.
Drainage of one of the resorts in the area.
Communication Department.
The Haribon Foundation.
November 20, 2013
Manila Surfers Association (MSA) contacted Haribon Foundation to partner with for a Solid Waste Management project in San Juan, La Union. San Juan, La Union is a favored surfing spot with its own local surfing community, La Union Surfers Club (LUSC).
Solid Waste Management is important to biodiversity conservation since improper disposal of waste materials affects the environment as well as the local tourism. Surfing is an increasingly popular sport, and to continuously attract surfers and promote ecotourism in San Juan, the local community should protect their environment. One of the initiatives to protecting the environment that the local community can engage in is Solid Waste Management.
The first part of the MSA-Haribon project was conducted in August wherein a Waste Analysis Characterizations Survey (WACS) was done, and findings showed that solid waste practices can be much improved. Biodegradables and plastic were the top two (2) waste materials in both residential and beach front in WACS sampling sites.
The second part of the project is still to be scheduled. This will entail a workshop where participants can learn about Solid Waste Management and Biodiversity Conservation, and Waste Segregation followed by hands on experience in Composting and Upcycling.
