Bacolod starts PHP160M recycling complex

On Wednesday, March 12, Bacolod City government broke ground on a PHP160-million Recovery and Recycling Complex and Ecopark in Barangay Felisa.

Led by Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, the groundbreaking ceremony included Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya and other city officials who emphasized the project's role in addressing local waste management challenges.

Phase 1 of the project, expected to be completed within a year at an estimated cost of over PHP1 billion for all phases, includes construction of a mechanized Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) with conveyor belt sorting lines, baling machines for recyclables, tree trimming disposal units, and windrow composting areas.

The city generates an average of 577 tons of garbage daily, with about 400 tons entering the sanitary landfill. The MRF will process a wide range of recyclable materials including plastics, biodegradables, glass, paper, and metal.

Edmond Maceda, the city's special adviser for solid waste management, described the project as a 'true game changer' that connects environmental protection, social responsibility, and economic prosperity.