‘Best way’ to deal with trash is to convert it to energy

By Elisabeth P. Baumgart

CONVERTING waste into a stable energy source could be one of the best ways to deal with the country’s garbage problem, an environmentalist said.

“One of our biggest problems is waste management. There were so many attempts at establishing landfills but all of these turned out to be open dumpsites,” said Rene Alburo, head of the Affiliate Non-Conventional Energy Center of the University of San Carlos.

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Alburo said it is about time local government units (LGUs) invested on devices to solve the problem.

“We are now looking into a ‘Biosphere.’ This is a new garbage disposal system. Out of the garbage that you put into the Biosphere, it produces energy,” said Alburo.

The Biosphere is a new garbage disposal system that is now used in the US. It converts waste into gases to be used as energy source.

“Basically, the Biosphere is a system where municipal waste can be loaded into the machine. Waste may be residual waste, and plastic and even human waste, and all of waste will be converted into gases. The gas that is produced will be used to power municipalities,” said Alburo.

The system will cost a municipality roughly $10 million.

“It’s a little expensive. But if two or three towns share the cost then that would be enough,” said Alburo.

Alburo hopes LGUs in Cebu still see the benefits of the Biosphere.

“Once LGUs see the benefits of the Biosphere, they will see a decrease in their expenses. If they set up Biosphere in their municipalities, they won’t have to spend on
landfills and all the maintenance. With the energy it produces, it can power the municipality,” said Alburo.

The smallest unit of a Biosphere can produce around eight megawatts.

“Even the whole island of Bantayan just needs three to four megawatts. Imagine what the Biosphere can do,” said Alburo.