Siargao’s Waste Dilemma: Progress, Gaps, and What Comes Next

Waste management has become Siargao’s next big challenge. The island’s rapid tourism growth brought jobs and income, but it also created mounting waste that the local system struggled to handle. Today, several programs aim to fix that, but problems still remain.

The Siargao Green Economy Project, led by Action Against Hunger and supported by AECID, is one of the strongest responses so far. It promotes circular economy solutions and teaches communities how to turn waste into livelihood.

The Department of Science and Technology’s Green Wave Project also joined this effort. It focuses on science-based waste segregation, composting, and resource recovery. Together, these programs are slowly changing how the island manages its trash.

The Current Situation

Before the pandemic, Siargao received more than 200,000 visitors yearly. With more resorts, eateries, and tours came rising volumes of plastic, food waste, and non-biodegradable materials.

Most municipalities still rely on open dumpsites or limited collection schedules. Some barangays practice segregation, but implementation is uneven. Waste often ends up burned or buried, especially in rural areas.

Tourist areas like General Luna generate the most solid waste. During peak surf months, collection trucks often fill before noon. Local authorities and NGOs estimate that only around 40 percent of total waste is properly collected and processed. The rest leaks into waterways, coastlines, or mangrove zones.

What’s Working

Progress is visible. Siargao’s Green Economy Project helped establish community-based Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in Dapa, General Luna, and Del Carmen. These centers collect recyclables, separate compostables, and train residents on waste handling.

Del Carmen, known for its mangrove forest, leads in sustainable practices. The town bans single-use plastic bags and encourages businesses to use biodegradable alternatives. The local government also runs clean-up drives with fisherfolk groups and youth volunteers.

Barangay Catangnan and Cloud 9 resorts now run waste audits and composting initiatives. Some use kitchen scraps to produce soil for their gardens. Others repurpose plastic bottles for construction and decoration.

These efforts show measurable results. Del Carmen reported a 25 percent reduction in unmanaged waste in the last two years. Dapa and General Luna improved segregation compliance through reward-based systems. Schools that joined the Green Wave initiative now integrate waste lessons into student projects.

These successes prove that consistent local coordination works. Other islands can replicate these initiatives by building small MRFs at the barangay level, enforcing plastic bans, and offering incentives for proper segregation. Partnerships between LGUs, NGOs, and local businesses remain key.

The Gaps

Despite progress, the system still struggles with scale and consistency. Many barangays lack proper waste collection vehicles or budget for regular operations. Some areas depend on volunteers instead of trained waste workers.

Segregation rules vary from one town to another. Without uniform standards, recyclers face difficulty sorting and selling recovered materials.

Illegal dumping remains an issue. Even with community monitoring, some residents dispose of trash at night or in secluded areas. Stronger enforcement and education are both needed.

Tourism-driven businesses also face pressure. While most resorts want to follow eco-friendly rules, not all have access to composting or recycling partners. Collection fees and logistics on a small island raise costs.

How Tourists Can Help

Tourists play a major role in keeping Siargao clean. Every visitor adds to the waste load, but they also hold the power to reduce it.

Small habits make a difference. Travelers who bring reusable bottles, utensils, and eco-bags reduce the island’s plastic demand. Booking accommodations that follow waste segregation practices supports businesses that care about sustainability.

Many resorts now provide refill stations and biodegradable toiletries. Tourists should use these facilities instead of single-use products. Choosing tours that promote clean-up activities also helps fund local waste initiatives.

Visitors can join scheduled clean-ups in General Luna or Del Carmen. Even simple actions like taking back your trash from beaches or surf spots help maintain Siargao’s natural beauty.

Supporting local conservation projects is another way to give back. Buying from small enterprises that use recycled materials keeps the waste-to-livelihood cycle alive. Responsible tourism is not about restriction. It is about contribution.

Local Efforts Making a Difference

The Green Wave Project introduced “waste value chains.” It connects barangay MRFs with recyclers in Surigao City. Plastic, metal, and paper are now sold instead of thrown away. This helps fund local clean-ups and equipment maintenance.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources also rolled out training on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Businesses that sell or import packaging materials must help collect or offset their waste footprint.

Schools are starting to join the effort. Some elementary classes include “eco points” programs that reward segregation and reuse. Youth groups organize coastal clean-ups tied to surfing events to raise awareness among visitors.

These are small steps, but they create habits that could last.

What Needs Fixing

The biggest gap is infrastructure. Many waste collection points are far from communities. Heavy rains and unpaved roads delay pickups. Trucks often break down before completing routes.

Another challenge is education. Some residents know segregation rules but do not apply them consistently. Continuous orientation and reward-based systems can help.

Tourism-related waste management also needs stronger private sector involvement. Hotels, restaurants, and surf camps should share waste data and coordinate logistics. Collective planning reduces cost and improves compliance.

Policy alignment is another issue. Each municipality currently sets its own guidelines. A unified island-wide plan could reduce overlap and improve monitoring.

Lastly, composting and recycling require stable markets. Without consistent buyers, MRFs cannot sustain operations. Partnerships with Surigao City or mainland recyclers will keep materials moving instead of piling up.

Next Steps for a Truly Sustainable Island

Siargao is now part of several national sustainability programs. The Department of Tourism aims to make it a model for circular economy in island destinations. Funding is also lined up for better collection trucks and improved disposal sites.

Local leaders are pushing for an Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan that covers all nine municipalities. The goal is to standardize segregation, recovery, and enforcement procedures.

If done right, the system could cut landfill waste by more than half and turn Siargao into a case study for other islands facing similar pressures.

The Island’s Next Test

Siargao has proven it can rebuild after storms. The next test is whether it can protect what makes it beautiful while it grows. Waste management defines the island’s next chapter.

Residents, businesses, and tourists all play a part. The progress so far shows that when people act together, change is possible. The challenge now is to keep it steady, make it fair, and make it last.