IS IT safe and feasible to add some non-biodegradable garbage in construction materials?
That’s what Mandaue City officials want a study to find out.
The council approved the study, one of two environment-related proposals last week from City Councilor Demetrio Cortes Jr.
Also approved was a resolution asking education officials to integrate “environment education” in the grade and high school lessons.
A recent study revealed that of Mandaue City’s 177.7 tons of garbage per day, 60 percent is biodegradable and 10 percent, recyclable.
About 28 percent is residual or non-biodegradable waste.
Cortes requested the mayor’s office to order a project study on whether it’s feasible to use non-biodegradable waste in foot paths, as road construction binders, or as drainage covers.
“Mandaue does not have a landfill to accommodate the increasing number of non-biodegradable materials, thus uncollected garbage eventually find their way into the waterways, clogging them and causing floods,” the councilor’s resolution said.
Placido Jerusalem, City Hall’s solid waste management team head, said they sent two plastic shredding machines to the former dumpsite and his men are being trained to operate these.
Shredded materials are then pulverized and mixed with other materials to create hollow blocks.
As for the other resolution, City Schools Division Superintendent Virginia Zapanta welcomed the City’s initiative.
The resolution submitted to the mayor, through the Local School Board, recommended that schools include “environment education” in the existing elementary and high school subjects.
“Values like saving animals, curbing deforestation, controlling pollution, proper waste segregation and composting should be inculcated in the youth today,” the resolution stated.
Mayor Jonas Cortes has introduced a program that rewards pupils who bring their recyclable materials to school. In exchange, they get food or school supplies.
Maguikay Elementary school is already reaping benefits from this project and their pupils are actively involved in waste segregation, said Roger Paller of the Public Information Office.