Firm reduces waste in Cebu landfill

Legislative Building of Cebu City Hall | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of the Cebu City Government

CEBU CITY — A private firm has limited waste in a landfill in Barangay Binaliw here to 20 percent or less.

Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Inc. (PIWSI) on Friday, Aug. 23, said it has enhanced operational efficiencies in transforming landfill operations into a materials recovery facility (MRF) by impacting the environment and local communities since it took over the facility in 2022.

“The shift has been nothing short of remarkable,” said Mary Jane Montejo, chief executive officer of Agalon Garbage Hauler, which has been disposing waste at the facility since 2020.

“It is evident how efficiency and productivity for waste diversion has been enhanced, not to mention the quality of the output as well. Because of this, lesser waste has been diverted to the landfill. Our company is looking forward to what new innovations and growth PIWSI will bring,” she added.

PIWSI Cebu uses equipment procured from Europe and Asia such as vibrating sieves, baler systems, magnetic separators, and an air density separator in processing up to 1,000 tons of solid waste per day.

This approach leads to reduced organic waste ending up decomposing and producing harmful methane emissions.

Raquiel Montecillo, owner of Marquiel Trading and Hauling Services, said the transition from a landfill operation into an MRF had not hampered operations as it allows the facility to operate 24/7.

“This showcased commendable integration of automated systems alongside existing processes. From improved throughput to enhanced quality control measures, it is evident that the additional waste processing equipment has greatly improved the waste diversion process as a whole,” she said.

Montecillo also cited the automated Radio Frequency Identification system implemented by PIWSI, which allows efficient monitoring of dump trucks coming in and out of the facility as well as the improved road network, which helps waste haulers have better turnaround time for dispatch and scheduling.

“Overall, the changes initiated and completed by PIWSI have been beneficial not only to the company, but also to its customers and the environment as well,” Montecillo said.

Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga lauded PIWSI for its vision during the January 2024 inauguration of the Cebu MRF, the first of its kind in the Philippines.

“The first thing we need to do in this country is regard the solid waste management sector as an industry and for that, it needs to realize the efficiencies according to scale,” she said.

“Investments will not make sense without all the moving parts put on the table and that includes local governance, environmental management,” she added.