Cebu City is gearing up for a major shift in how it handles its trash, with a stricter waste segregation policy set to be rolled out at the start of 2026. Mayor Nestor Archival announced that the city government will soon refuse to collect garbage that is not properly sorted by households and businesses.
Addressing a Growing Waste Crisis
During a press conference held on Monday, December 22, 2025, Mayor Archival outlined the pressing reasons behind the new mandate. The city is grappling with a critical challenge: its landfill is rapidly filling up. Compounding this issue are the limited routes available for garbage trucks and a continuously increasing volume of waste generated by the city's residents.
The mayor emphasized that the policy is a necessary response to these environmental and logistical pressures. The goal is to reduce the amount of mixed waste going to the landfill by ensuring more materials are recycled or composted at the source.
Phased Implementation and Timeline
The city plans to introduce the new rules gradually to allow citizens time to adjust. The implementation will follow a clear, multi-stage timeline to ensure public awareness and compliance.
From January 1 to 15, 2026, the city will launch a massive information dissemination campaign across all barangays. This period will focus on educating the public about proper waste segregation methods and the importance of the new system.
From January 16 to 30, the city will begin a gradual or phased enforcement of the program. This serves as a transition period where guidelines are actively promoted.
Starting February 1, 2026, the full "No segregation, no collection" policy will take effect. This means garbage trucks will bypass households or establishments that fail to separate their waste correctly. The mayor noted that this final step is contingent on the official approval and publication of the corresponding ordinances.
Initial Focus and Enforcement Mechanisms
To lead by example, the policy will first be implemented within the Cebu City Hall offices themselves. All city government offices will be required to set up designated segregation bins for different types of waste.
Furthermore, the city will appoint monitoring personnel to ensure that the rules are being followed both within government premises and eventually in communities. Mayor Archival clarified that while the announcement is a warning, the system for issuing citations before actual fines or penalties is still being finalized. "This is just a warning for now," he stated, indicating that the city aims for compliance through education first.
This comprehensive plan marks a significant step for Cebu City in managing its solid waste and moving towards a more sustainable future, urging every citizen to participate in the solution.
