City targets zero waste by 2013

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The City Government of San Fernando is hoping to achieve “zero waste” by February 2013 once materials recovery facilities (MRF) in every barangay become fully operational.

This was revealed over the weekend as the city launched its “Zero Waste Festival 2012” themed “Zero Waste Communities for Zero Marine Debris” at the mini-convention center of Heroes Hall.

The move is in cooperation with the Mother Earth Foundation and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office.

“We already have fully operational MRFs in 20 of our 35 barangays. We hope to have the other 15 functioning towards zero waste by February 2013. If achieved, the city will be the first in the region to take the road to zero waste,” said Mayor Oscar Rodriguez.

He added that eradicating marine debris is the key to averting growing climate change: “Marine debris a symptom of our throw-away society. Together, like the business sector which is now 99.5 percent compliant to RA 9003, we can save the environment. Yes, we can!”

Rodriguez also emphasized the importance of segregation, proper waste disposal and achieving the target to save funds.

“Once we achieve our target of zero waste, we not only save the environment and future generations, but more so, we can conserve funds like the P3 million we spend for garbage disposal and hauling. It simply translates to more basic service like education and health if we can save funds once we hit our target,” he said.