Waste-to-energy technology project launched in Tarlac

TARLAC CITY -- An integrated waste-to-energy technology projects used in Germany for 30 years was recently launched here in an effort to address the garbage problem in the city.

The city government on Wednesday entered into agreement with Mackay Green Energy Inc. (MGEI), the firm which earlier signed the same agreement with Pampanga.

Manalang and MGEI chairman Jame Ronaldson Mackay signed the MOA as witnessed by the other local officials and the Pampanga-based Tokwing Construction Corp. (TCC).

MGEI’s patented technology enables raw waste to be classified into component parts, recyclables and refuse derived fuel. The materials are then recovered and purified for sale. The recovered fuel is then used to produce renewable energy.

The project will be put in a five-hectare area in Barangay Armenia, some seven kilometers away from the city proper.

Manalang said the city government "welcomes any feasible project on solid waste as long as they are environment-friendly and effective."

Mackay assured that their proposed technology is "environment-friendly using total combustion of waste and not burning."

"There is zero emission from the combustion of garbage using temperatures between 1,200 and 1,800 degrees Celsius," he said.

In the MOA, a minimum of 150 metric tons of garbage is required daily to produce at least five megawatts of saleable electricity.

Manalang said the city with at least 370,000 residents produces about 90 tons of garbage per day.

He said they are disposing their waste at the landfill in Capas town, some 45 kilometers from the city.

"That’s far and too costly,” the city mayor said, as he bared that the city government is spending at least P10 million annually for waste management.

With this new technology project, he said they expect their annual expenses on waste be reduced by about 30 percent.

Aside from that, the city will be given a share in the sale of electricity as stated in the agreement. (PNA)