There's hope for waste

MANILA, Philippines – To improve the solid waste disposal and convert trash into products, Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP) will set up bioreactor equipment plants in several communities. The materials recovery facility (MRFs), wherein solid waste is segregated into biodegradables and nonbiodegradables, will make use of a plastic recycling technology developed by the Department of Science and Technology.

Kitchen, yard and market waste are shredded and turned into compost (organic fertilizer) and/or into methane to power the shredders. The nonbiodegradables are sorted, shredded and melted to produce new products.

The whole plant, including the bioreactor, costs P2 million to build and put into operation for a year. The amount also includes training and advocacy (for the MRF personnel), and equipment costs. KBPIPs deputy director Girlie Aragon said that KBPIP is looking at putting three MRFs per quarter, or 12 in a year.

KBPIP sets up MRFs in communities that are strategic to reducing the solid waste pollution load; that is, they are near major tributaries that feed into the Pasig River. The equipment in the MRF includes shredders, styro oven, different bins for sorting and either a bio-digester, composter or vermi compost beds, she said.

To date, two MRFs are already in place, one each in Mandaluyong and Sta. Ana, Manila. After one year of operation, the MRF will be turned over to the barangay or LGU, since they provided the land to build the facility.