The cities of Calbayog and Catbalogan in Samar have implemented waste segregation strategies to produce reusable materials from trash while creating livelihood opportunities.
The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in Eastern Visayas acknowledged these strategies during a benchmarking on solid waste management to highlight the importance of minimizing pollution, reducing health risks, and promoting cleanliness.
In the sanitary landfill in Calbayog City, waste pickers recover recyclable waste and create impressive crafts, such as flower vases, guitars, miniature vehicles, parols, and dresses.
They sort out 1,000 to 1,500 empty sacks weekly for use by street sweepers and barangays, while the rest of the waste is sold to junkshops for recycling.
Based on the December 2023 statistics, the city’s sanitary landfill disposed of 39.23 tons per day, 85 percent of which was residual waste.
Waste pickers in Calbayog receive higher salaries than job order workers. The landfill hosts educational tours for local government units, students, and guests
Meanwhile, the provincial plastic recycling facility in Catbalogan City converts plastic materials to monobloc armchairs.
One chair can be produced with 25 kilos of plastic waste. They can generate 20 kilos of plastic waste in an hour and eight armchairs daily.
As of the first quarter of 2024, a total of 385 armchairs have been produced and distributed to different schools and local government units in the province.
Calbiga has received 59 chairs, and Villareal has accepted 33.
The waste segregation strategies in these cities have proven effective in producing reusable materials from trash.
The efforts of waste pickers and the plastic recycling facility are helping minimize pollution, reduce health risks, and promote cleanliness and sustainability in the region.
(With report from the Philippine Information Agency/OpinYon News Team)
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