PLASTIC RECYCLING FACILITY. Workers mold melted plastic to make school chairs at the plastic recycling facility in Barangay Bagong Silang, Talavera, Nueva Ecija that opened on Monday (Jan. 20, 2020). Mayor Nerivi Santos-Martinez said the machine that was placed at the compound of the town's material recovery facility can also make bricks and pots. (Photo by Marilyn Galang)
TALAVERA, Nueva Ecija -- A PHP6-million plastic recycling facility that can produce useful materials out of garbage was opened Monday at the waste management park in Barangay Bagong Silang here.
Mayor Nerivi Santos-Martinez said the machine that was placed at the compound of the town's material recovery facility (MRF) can make school chairs, bricks and pots out of plastics that comprise roughly 10 percent of their 10-ton daily garbage collection.
“The residual wastes are sent to Metro Clark for disposal,” she said.
Martinez said the project, which is in line with their zero-waste campaign, was inspired by the Villar Foundation of Senator Cynthia Villar and funded by the local government.
“The recycling machine is part of the program that transforms the old stinky open dumpsite into a clean and green solid waste management park that will also be opened for students' educational visit,” the mayor said.
The machine can process some 500 kilos of plastics in 3.5 hours, she said.
"Kung maka seven hours or 10 hours a day, so 1,500 kilograms a day ang kayang i-melt (If the machine can process seven or 10 hours a day, so it can melt up to 1,500 kilograms a day)," Martinez said.
She lauded the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) headed by Nerito Santos for its commitment in pursuing responsible solid waste management.
"Merong MRF, meron siyang forest, meron siyang zoo, merong lugar para sa agriculture na may iba't ibang pananim (There is an MRF, forest, zoo and an area for agriculture with various plants)," Martinez said.
Talavera, which one of Nueva Ecija's biggest municipalities, is now home to big businesses, including malls and department stores. (PNA)
