The Informal Recycling Market in Ormoc City, Philippines: Evaluation of Options to Enhance Resources Recovery and to Reduce GHG Emissions

In many developing countries the informal sector significantly contributes to resources recovery, which assists in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, an internationally agreed major target manifested within the Kyoto Protocol. Analyzing detailed waste generation and recycling market studies from Ormoc City, Philippines, and applying a GHG emission calculator, this paper closes knowledge gaps in the Philippines where the importance of informal sector involvement for successful solid waste management (SWM) is neglected. Based on this research, integrating the informal sector into SWM is recommended rather than excluding it as part of the SWM modernization process.