ADB, P&G explore building ‘waste-to-energy’ plant

MANILA, Philippines – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) are studying building ‘waste-to-energy’ plants in the Philippines.

In a statement today, Manila-based multilateral development bank said the plants aim to generate two megawatts of power through solid waste collected from homes and businesses.

ADB has approved a $385,000 technical assistance plan, equivalent to 60% of the total cost. This will help determine the viability and sustainability of waste-to-energy projects.

If the project is deemed viable and sustainable, the waste-to-energy plant will be piloted in the Philippines by 2016.

“This is the kind of innovative project that brings the public and private sectors together to tackle a problem seen throughout the developing world. Piloting an integrated solid waste management system means it could be replicated in other parts of the world,” ADB Investment Specialist Jose Manuel Limjap said.

Tons of waste

The ADB said around 6,700 tons of solid waste is generated everyday in Metro Manila but only 720 tons are recycled or composted.

The unrecycled or composted waste is hauled to dump sites, openly burned, or dumped illegally on private land, in rivers, creeks, or Manila Bay.

ADB said this has led to serious environmental problems, such as air pollution and soil and groundwater contamination. Inefficient solid waste management practices have also been touted as a major contributor to recent flooding in various areas of Metro Manila.

“The project aims to eliminate the need for landfill, as less than 1% of the waste is expected to remain after processing, and this will mostly be material that may be recycled for use in products like asphalt,” the ADB said. – Rappler.com