To support the local governments’ efforts on solid waste management, leading cement company Holcim Philippines has partnered with the Iloilo City Government, Solid Waste Management for Local Government Unit (SWM4LGU), and Department of Environment and Natural Resources -Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region 6 for the proper and safe disposal of sorted residual wastes at its Calahunan Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) using Holcim’s global technology of co-processing.
 
The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, Solid Waste Management for Local Government Units Project Team Leader Dr. Johannes Paul, EMB Region 6 Director Bienvenido Lipayon, Jr and Holcim Philippines Alternative Fuel and Raw Materials Vice President Ernesto Paredes at the Iloilo City Hall last July 9, 2009. Waste segregation is a mandate that many local governments have yet to fully comply with.
 
The Iloilo City government has partnered with Holcim in ensuring that segregated wastes are put into productive use in a manner that is environmentally safe.  “We hope this partnership between Holcim, SWM4LGU, DENR-EMB Region 6, and the Iloilo City government can demonstrate that we now have a safe, sustainable and environment-friendly solution to waste management,” said Paredes. “Co-processing waste materials has been done successfully in several European countries and in the United States for many years now and Holcim has developed the capability and know-how to replicate this in our country.”
 
More and more cities are partnering with Holcim for effective waste management. Among them are Marikina, Makati, Malolos, Baguio and Quezon City that are now benefiting from Holcim’s co-processing capability.
 
Holcim’s co-processing technology makes use of non-recyclable, non-biodegrable municipal wastes such as plastics which usually end in dumpsites, posing health and environment hazards.Holcim’s cement plants have complete state-of-the-art Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) device to ensure on a 24/7 basis that no harmful emissions are released to the environment, and that the provisions of the Philippine Clean Air Act are strictly complied with.
 
Source: Manila Bulletin