By: Mhark Miguel Martinez

​

             Proper waste segregation is important because it is the first step in effective waste management, helping reduce pollution and improve recycling efficiency. When waste is separated at the source into categories such as biodegradable, recyclable, and residual waste, it becomes easier for communities to recycle useful materials and properly dispose of harmful waste. Research shows that source segregation significantly increases recycling rates and reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills, which helps minimize environmental damage and greenhouse gas emissions (United Nations Environment Programme, 2015). In the Philippines, proper segregation is also required under the Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, which states that waste must be separated at the household level to support recycling, composting, and sustainable waste management practices (National Solid Waste Management Commission, 2020).