A private firm, Evergreen Labs Philippines, submitted an unsolicited proposal build five integrated materials recovery facilities (MRFs) in selected barangays in Cebu City. This initiative aims to address the urgent need for effective waste management solutions in the city.

Here’s what you need to know about the proposal and its potential impact.

Overview of the proposal

Investment: The project is valued at 53 million lei and intends to strategically locate MRFs to optimize waste diversion and recycling efforts.

Use of technology: Evergreen Labs plans to use advanced technological solutions from ReForm Plastic, which include:

Benefits of MRFs

According to the proposal, the establishment of these MRFs will bring several significant benefits:

Waste diversion: The facilities aim to significantly reduce waste going to landfills, promoting a more sustainable waste management system.

Impact on the environment: By efficiently processing waste, MRFs will help mitigate the environmental impact associated with improper waste disposal.

Community involvement: The project aims to encourage local engagement by empowering communities to take part in sustainable waste management practices.

Economic opportunities: MRFs are expected to create jobs and boost local economies by selling recycled products such as composite boards and concrete aggregates.

Features of the facility

Each MRF will be custom designed for the respective barangay and will include:

• A dedicated space of 450 square meters.

• A container office unit and a rainwater harvesting system.

• Advanced processing and sorting equipment including conveyor systems, balers, shredders and crushers.

• A computer system for digital monitoring.

• Semi-automated sorting lines to increase efficiency in waste separation.

Additional infrastructure

To support the waste management process, the project will introduce 35 electric tricycles to collect and transport waste, reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional methods of waste transport.

Legislative process and community input

During the regular meeting of the Cebu City Council on October 23, 2024, City Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera asked Evergreen Labs to revise its proposal to include more basic information about the company, including its financial capacity.

Councilwoman Mary Ann de los Santos also invited the developer to an executive session on Dec. 4 to present the proposal in detail.

The Current Landscape of Waste Management

City Councilor Joel Garganera pointed out that Cebu City currently operates a small-scale MRF in Barangay Kalunasan. However, the only fully operational facility is in Kalunasan, with other barangays like Basak San Nicolas in the process of establishing their MRFs.

Future initiatives

Councilor Rey Gealon passed a resolution urging Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia to fully implement a P53 million grant from the Department of Interior and Local Government for the establishment of three MRFs.

Gealon also stressed the importance of creating a detailed action plan for functional MRFs in the barangays and called for a solid waste management summit to develop effective solutions to the city’s waste management challenges. (SunStar Cebu)