Materials Recovery Facility – a Cooperative Effort Between Government and Citizens
A Materials Recovery Facility or MRF is a specialized station where recyclable solid waste materials are received, separated, and prepared for sending out to re-processors or end-user manufacturers for the creation of new products. There are two main types of MRFs consisting of the clean and dirty. The former accepts recyclable materials that have already been separated/sorted at the source such as residential or commercial areas while the latter accepts mixed solid waste which needs to be separated either by manual or mechanical means. Between the two, dirty MRFs are more labor-intensive and more expensive to maintain. A complete Materials Recovery Facility would usually include a sorting station, a drop-off center, a composting facility, and a recycling facility.
Why is a Materials Recovery Facility Important?
To encourage and support manufacturers who use recyclable materials, it is important that they have a reliable source of quality recyclables. The lack of such source only gives them a reason to use valuable raw materials because of their need to produce their products. Most businesses will not stop harvesting raw materials to ensure their continued operation thus the importance of providing a viable alternative from which they can source their required materials.
People from all walks of like in the Philippines are being enjoined to do their part in providing support for solid waste management. Under Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, every barangay or cluster of barangays all over the country must establish an MRF. The location shall be determined by barangays through their respective Sanggunian. At present, there are about 7,938 out of the total 42,000 barangays being serviced by 6,957 MRFs, based on the records of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The Pilot Project for Binan, Laguna
Recognizing the need for a more efficient way of collecting solid wastes particularly garden and park waste comprised of leaves, twigs, branches, and similar waste products., the barangay leadership has deemed it proper to start an MRF initiative within a residential village. The move is expected to drastically decrease the number of trips that have to be made by garbage collectors in collecting garden and park waste. This is sought to be done by having the collected garden and park waste shredded into more manageable bulk and quantity before being collected by garbage trucks. It has to be noted that garden and park waste comprise a big bulk of the garbage collected from residential villages in the area.
There is also a designated drop-off area for other solid waste materials such as paper, plastic, glass, and others which are expected to be used by manufacturers for making new products. Although the initial stages of the operation of this MRF is centered on decreasing the bulk of garden and park waste and collection of recyclable materials, a composting facility is expected to follow to make better use of the collected garden and park waste. Composting is being eyed as a possible income-generating activity for the host village.
Last December 29, 2012, the MRF which is located at San Jose Village 2 in BInan, Laguna was inaugurated with the presence of Binan Mayor Lenlen Alonte-Naguiat, Vice Mayor Walfredo Dimaguila, Ms. Sheila Israel (representing her husband Congressman Dan Fernandez), Barangay Captain Joel Aviso and other barangay officials. The host village was represented by its Board of Directors. In their respective speeches, the guest officials enjoined everyone to support this project as this MRF is expected to be just the first of several that will be established to service the whole Barangay Binan in the City of Binan, Laguna.
My Say
Projects such as this should be given full support since its success will primarily benefit the residents of the area. Although the government is tasked to provide the means to establish these facilities, the beneficiaries must be able to show that they are able to accept and perform the responsibility that comes with having them. Let this pilot Materials Recovery Facility in San Jose Village 2 be a true model of cooperation between government and citizens.
Gene
This community effort is admirable. We should apply this in every community, especially in our area near the Marikina River and has been flooded for several times now. Sadly, the people in our area still has no regard as to keeping the trash at a minimum and segregating it.
Teresa Martinez
Saving our environment requires a comprehensive change of human attitude and behavior.
mariegizellemichel
I love community efforts like this…I grew up in a small town and was part of the Home Economics club, being president at one point and we have such; cleaning, tree planting activities, etc…it was fun and fulfilling! Kudos! hope to see more of this!
Teresa Martinez
Big projects such as an MRF can be started small in select areas in the country.
KC
Dapat may mga ganitong projects sa small communities sa mga lungsod kase ang polusyon dun numero uno, galing sa mga basurang di maayos na naitatapon.. Tapos pag inulan nang malakas, babahain agad kase barado ang mga daluyan ng tubig.. Maganda ang proyektong ito at sana kahit pauntiunti ‘no, gayahin din ng ibang lugar at ng may maganda naman tayong maibalik sa kalikasan..
Teresa Martinez
Tama ka sa sinabi mong iyan na dapat may mga ganitong proyekto sa mga maliliit na komunidad para matuto ang mga tao sa pag-aayos ng basura at matutong magkusa sa pag-aayos ng paligid.
clarcy03
I remember my last years in college, we have this subject called Environmental Science. Probably the only subject that makes a lot of sense to me. Recycling was one of the topics that we had. I really hope that projects like these receive more attention and support not only form the government but also from the citizens.
Teresa Martinez
Most Filipinos I believe are hoping that government officials concentrate on projects that can really help communities.
lanie
It’s a good project, because garbage is the one problem of our country.
Teresa Martinez
Garbage is a major problem of our country which needs immediate attention.
lencilicious
We will not only benefit from this, we also got the chance to prove that we can do something to save our mother earth. Hope all communities in Philippines can do this.
Teresa Martinez
As long as government officials have their priorities in order, an MRF will probably be in their list of things to accomplish in the very near future.
claire
Garbage collection is a big problem in our country. This is really helpful in terms of garbage segregation. The efforts of the government to have a garbage facility is a good thing.
Rcel
I surely salute government people who will do this kind of project, all for the public’s benefits!
Mary Anne Velasco
This Materials Recovery Facility or MRF project by the government is a promising one. I have a good friend [she’s a teacher] who resides in Binan, Laguna and will tell her about this so she can help spread the word.
Teresa Martinez
That will be a welcome move so as to make more people aware of the need to be involved in taking care of the environment and the fact that citizens can ask for the assistance of their leaders for worthwhile projects such as this.
Jadey Sam
I wish they have this everywhere! This is what the politicians should use the budget for – not on gazillion bus stops with their name on it. This will definitely bring a lot of changes in the place.
Teresa Martinez
I like the the term you used “gazillion bus tops with their names on it”. This type of structures have really become redundant for its own good.
Carizza Chua
this is a good project between the governent and the residents. i hope they continue even after the election season!
Teresa Martinez
It is always our hope that any effort or move made by politicians go beyond politics in the same manner that support of citizens must go beyond personal gain.
Dorry Lyn
i just hope that project like this will also have in other municipalities
Teresa Martinez
Based on the law, MRFs should be placed in all barangays so it would really depend on the leadership how soon such a facility can be seen rising in a specific area.
franckxethee
I hope a MRF be required for each location so we can have a more environmentally sound country.
Teresa Martinez
Actually it is a requirement in all barangays but it usually depends on the priorities of the leaders in the barangay and municipal level.
peachkins
I agree, we should give projects like this our full support because it will benefit everyone in the long run….
Teresa Martinez
Yes. it will but only to the extent the community is willing to participate so people should be thinking more of how they can help and not much of what they can get out of the project.
mygreenlivingideas
that’s a good project and yes just as you said, it is still up to us people for it to become successful
Teresa Martinez
Any project, however well-intentioned does not stand a chance with citizens’ indifference.
Rcel (using Triz's post)
Wow! That’s a pretty nice project of the government! That will surely benefit citizens where that project is built. My salute to those who have initiated that!
Teresa Martinez
Leaders must channel their power and influence to create more beneficial products such as this.
JessicaWCassidy (@wifetoalineman)
I really love this Sis 🙂 It saves the Earth and the environment 🙂 What a very helpful project 🙂 It would awesome if all the cities in the Philippines especially in Manila will follow 🙂 It is very humid in Manila 🙁 the air is not healthy to breath 🙁 This is a big solution 🙂
Teresa Martinez
I hope to see or hear about more MRFs soon in other places.
Shela
Yes it has to be always two to tango so every project would be smoothly sailing.
Teresa Martinez
Yes, cooperation has always been the key in most seemingly insurmountable odds.
Donald Pagulong
Saan ka pa, if only all the barangays in Metro manila will have a MRF, then eco-friendly communities will thrive. Malinis na, may pera pa.
Teresa Martinez
That is quite right. Everybody should be doing their share to maximize the use of MRFs for the benefit of the community.
msculit Ria C
That is a very great way to involve the community to do their part in making our planet a clean, green place to live. MRF’s will be a great venue to educate people as well to be responsible with waste and to encourage everyone to support the endeavor for a cleaner Earth.
I wish the local government in Caloocan (Baesa, specifically) will consider this in their agenda/platform in the coming elections. My in-laws place can benefit from these MRFs. Trash are just thrown irresponsibly on viable streets where there is ongoing traffic and pedestrian. So filthy and smelly. It’s not good when there are kids around.
Teresa Martinez
Actually, this kind of project should not even wait for elections to be in initiated.
Chubskulit Rose
Kudos to those government officials who supports this productive activity for the good of the local residents.
Chubskulit Rose
I do that green waste shredding here in my own backyard,. Every time we mow our yard, I don’t throw the grass away but spread it in my flowers bed to avoid weeds from growing.
Teresa Martinez
We can all really do our part in helping manage solid waste and garbage in our homes and communities.
Teresa Martinez
I join you in that.
Raya
I could not agree more! Projects like these should be given enough funding and support! These machines do such a great job. Barangays and cities should have those. They are great investments.
Teresa Martinez
Anything that can provide a community the capacity to manage their own garbage is a sound investment. It is however up to the people to ensure that such investment will provide maximized benefits to the community.