Execs close tire melting plant amid health risks

GUIGUINTO, Bulacan—Environment officials have closed a firm producing bunker oil from melted tires here following complaints from residents and nearby establishments over the operation’s ill effects on public health.

Lormelyn Claudio, Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) director in Central Luzon, served the cease-and-desist order against Bio-Eco Solution Technology Inc. in Barangay Tabang.

Claudio said the order would be lifted only if the firm complies with environmental laws it has violated.

Bio-Eco, she said, recycles scrap tires through the pyrolysis method, where tires are melted inside a furnace for eight hours. The furnace uses wood and other materials for fuel.

After a two-hour cooling process, the furnace is opened to recover bunker oil but foul smell and thick fumes are emitted by the machine.

Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, who joined Claudio and environment officials in serving the order, said he sought the help of EMB to investigate Bio-Eco’s operations after he received complaints from residents, and amid reports that it was operating without an environmental compliance certificate and other permits from the Guiguinto government.

Alvarado described the company’s operation as “very crude,” and noted its location in the middle of residential and business areas in Barangay Tabang.

He said employees of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), whose building is near the Bio-Eco compound, and residents sought help to stop the firm’s operations.

Randy Pagador, EMB senior environmental management specialist, said what the furnace emits is called “fugitive dust,” which is almost toxic. Pagador said pyrolysis produces thread, bunker oil and ash particles.