Republic of the Philippines

golden gate colleges

P. Prieto St., Batangas City
Tel No. (043) 723 2663
College of Engineering & Technology

RESEARCH (REPORTING)
ME223B|ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

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March 14, 2025

Toxic and Hazardous Waste Treatment
Toxic and hazardous waste, originating from various sources, pose significant risks to
human health and the environment due to their chemical, biological, or radiological
properties, necessitating specialized treatment methods to prevent pollution and long-
term ecological damage.

Classification of Toxic and Hazardous Waste

• Ignitability (flammable solvents) - Ignitable wastes burn at relatively low

temperatures and may cause an immediate fire hazard.

• Corrosivity (e.g., acids and bases) - strong acidic or alkaline substances. They
destroy solid material and living tissue upon contact, by chemical reaction.

• Reactivity (e.g., explosive chemicals) - chemically unstable and react violently

with air or water. They cause explosions or form toxic vapors.

• Toxicity (e.g., heavy metals, pesticides) - contain poisons, even in very small or
trace amounts

• Infectivity - used bandages, hypodermic needles, and other materials from

hospitals or biological research facilities.

• Pathogenicity - refers to the capacity of waste materials, particularly solid and

healthcare waste, to harbor and transmit pathogens, posing risks to public health
and the environment.

Hazardous waste can be treated using chemical, thermal, biological, and physical
methods, with high-temperature incineration being a thermal method that can detoxify
and destroy organic wastes.

Methods of Treatment

1. Physical Treatment – separating hazardous components without altering their

chemical nature. Common techniques include:
o Filtration and Sedimentation – Used in wastewater treatment to remove
suspended particles
o Solidification and Stabilization – Encapsulation of hazardous waste in
materials like cement to prevent leaching
2. Chemical Treatment – Chemical processes alter the hazardous properties of
waste to make it less harmful
o Neutralization – Acids and bases are mixed to form neutral compounds
o Oxidation and Reduction – Used to treat heavy metals and organic
pollutants
3. Biological Treatment – Microorganisms break down hazardous substances into
less toxic forms.
o Bioremediation – Use of bacteria and fungi to degrade contaminants
o Composting – Organic hazardous waste is decomposed into stable matter
4. Thermal Treatment – High temperatures destroy hazardous substances
o Incineration – Burns hazardous waste, reducing volume but may produce
toxic emissions
o Plasma Arc Technology – Uses ionized gas at high temperatures to break
down complex chemicals
5. Secure Landfilling – For waste that cannot be treated, engineered landfills are
used with:
o Leachate collection systems to prevent groundwater contamination.
o Gas recovery systems to capture harmful emissions

Proper hazardous waste treatment is essential to minimize environmental and health

risks. A combination of physical, chemical, biological, and thermal methods ensures
effective waste management, contributing to sustainability and pollution prevention.

Laws Governing Toxic and Hazardous Waste Treatment

I. Republic Act 6969 (Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes
Control Act of 1990)
a. The Philippine’s law regulates and prohibits the importation, manufacture,
processing, sale, distribution, use, and disposal of hazardous chemicals,
prohibits hazardous and nuclear waste entry, and encourages toxic
chemical research.

II. Republic Act 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000)
a. The law establishes a systematic ecological solid waste management
program, promoting resource conservation and recovery through
environmentally sound methods like composting, recycling, and green
charcoal processes, and aims for volume reduction and waste avoidance.

III. Republic Act 9003 (Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004)

a. "Economic Growth Policy for Fresh, Blackfish, and Marine Waters"
b. Signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on March 22, 2004.
c. Taken effect on May 6, 2004.
d. Implements Rules and Regulations in DNR Administrative Order No. 2005-
10.
IV. Republic Act 8749 (Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999)
a. "Air Pollution Control Law"
b. Sets regulations for air quality protection.
c. Sets strict emission standards.
d. Aims to reduce pollutants and promote sustainable development.

V. Presidential Decree 1586 (Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System

of 1978)
a. Introduced the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System to balance
socio-economic development and environmental protection.
b. Mandates all projects with significant environmental impacts to prepare an
EIS.
c. Empowers the Minister of Human Settlements to designate lead agencies
for EIS preparation.
d. Requires an Environmental Compliance Certificate for environmentally
critical projects.
e. Authorizes the President to declare certain projects as environmentally
critical.
VI. Federal Laws
a. RCRA sets standards for hazardous waste management.
b. TSCA allows EPA regulation of hazardous chemicals.
c. OSH Act authorizes OSHA to address workplace hazards.
d. Clean Water Act regulates pollutants discharge into national waters.
e. EPCRA requires chemical facility owners to submit reports and provide
public information.
Hazardous Waste Management Is a Step Beyond Typical Treatments

Hazardous waste treatment methods are more stringent than your typical garbage
bag full of last night’s leftovers. The potential environmental and public health effects are
too critical to treat it any other way. Always take special precautions when handling and
removing toxic waste. Your well-being could depend on it.
References:
Mrgx. (2024, July 27). RA 8749 Explained: The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 - LTMS
PORTAL PH. LTMS PORTAL PH. https://ltmsportal.ph/ra-8749-philippine-clean-air-act/

Mendez, R. (2017, September 10). R.A. 9275 Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 [Slide
show]. SlideShare. https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/ra-9275-philippine-clean-water-
act-of-2004/79603946#22

Ecological Solid Waste Management. (n.d.). One Planet Network.

https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/knowledge-centre/policies/ecological-solid-waste-
management-act-2000-ra-9003

What is Hazardous Waste Management? | SafetyCulture. (2024, August 19).

SafetyCulture. https://safetyculture.com/topics/waste-management-system/hazardous-
waste-management/

Marsh, J. (2023, September 26). Hazardous Waste Treatment Methods: Protecting

people and the planet. Environment Co. https://environment.co/hazardous-waste-
treatment-
methods/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0t3Z_yMjUKN5JFcCoVeQSqJbmxwi-
EiUgULcblb5JlOuqO-ryIDJFv2io_aem_JU2KC5RokEZNrbx0cOflbQ

Neumann, J., Petranikova, M., Meeus, M., Gamarra, J. D., Younesi, R., Winter, M., &
Nowak, S. (2022). Recycling of Lithium‐Ion Batteries—Current state of the art, circular
economy, and next generation recycling. Advanced Energy Materials, 12(17).
https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202102917

EPA. (2022). Hazardous Waste Management Guidelines. U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency.

Ghosh, P., et al. (2021). Advances in Chemical Treatment of Hazardous Waste.

Environmental Science & Technology.

UNEP. (2021). Global Waste Management Outlook. United Nations Environment

programme

Nathanson, & A, J. (2010, January 22). Hazardous-waste management | Types,

Examples, Treatment, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/technology/hazardous-waste-management/Treatment-
storage-and-disposal