Summary
Highlights
Biodegradable waste like food and yard waste, when sent to landfills, generates methane, a greenhouse gas significantly more potent than carbon dioxide. The UP Diliman Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) addresses this by transforming this waste into organic compost.
The MRF serves as a temporary receiving area for segregated waste, further categorizing it into biodegradable and recyclable materials. This facility was established to manage biodegradable and recyclable waste, aiming to reduce the volume of waste going to landfills and generate useful products.
The facility implements a solid waste management plan that includes collecting biodegradable materials from households, labels indicating food waste and yard waste. It's crucial that collected biodegradable waste is free from plastics, as plastics contaminate the composting process.
Collected food and yard waste are first cleaned and then shredded. They are then mixed in specific proportions: 40% yard waste, 40% food waste, and 20% old compost, along with microorganisms in a composter. This mixture undergoes a conventional composting process, taking about a month, after which the organic compost is ready for market.
The facility maintains a spacious urban garden where they utilize the organic compost produced. This garden serves as a demonstration of the effectiveness of their compost, growing organic vegetables and herbs without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Produce from this garden is sold to walk-in customers and restaurants.
The facility actively engages in outreach programs to raise awareness about waste minimization and urban gardening. Despite limited funding, they emphasize continuous education for communities, barangays, and even other areas in Metro Manila. A key challenge is the limited space required for MRFs, but proper segregation at the source is vital for successful composting even on a small scale.
The MRF provides valuable experience to its workers and educates people on composting and urban gardening, promoting a healthier environment through waste reduction. They aim for collaborative learning and hope that more communities will adopt similar practices to diminish waste and contribute to a better environment.