Building Solutions Firm Holcim to Help Reduce Plastic Waste in PH
Construction solutions firm Holcim is planning to provide aid to the government by using more residual plastic wastes as alternative fuel in cement production.
“Holcim Philippines is a committed partner in the country’s development and we are contributing more beyond building materials,” said president and CEO of Holcim Philippines John Stull.
50 percent of plastic wastes that end up in bodies of water worldwide comes from Asian countries such as China, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. This is according to the most recent report of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
Some organizations like Holcim Philippines are already taking part in supporting the use of waste-to-energy technologies because of the safety advances of reducing plastics leaked into our bodies of water.
Use of Waste-to-Energy Technologies
Although more known as a cement-maker, Holcim Philippines, with the help of co-processing technology and its waste-management unit Geocycle, is able to use non-recyclable plastics as an alternative to coal in cement production.
Since it started in 2010, Holcim Philippines has co-processed more than 25,000 metric tons of plastic waste.
In co-processing, waste materials like plastic are converted into energy that’s used for producing cement.
Plus, it helps the company reduce its dependence in conventional fuel while providing a sustainable waste-management alternative.
It greatly aids in waste management and presents advantages in environmental and safety performance by mitigating plastic wastes ending up in landfills and oceans.
“Our Geocycle business is a clear example as it helps alleviate the country’s waste-management challenges, which is expected to grow along with the economy,” said Stull.
He added, “Geocycle is stepping up engagement with the private sector and studying possible collaboration with a number of local governments on providing its co-processing services.”.
Plans for the Future
Holcim’s Geocycle is planning to have pilot projects in 2019 involving a number of localities. The goal is to show the advantages of using its waste-management service instead of current solutions like landfilling.
Holcim Philippines, a member of the LafargeHolcim Group present in 80 countries has cement manufacturing facilities in provinces such as La Union, Bulacan, Misamis Oriental, and the city of Davao. And offers a wide range of building solutions for infrastructure projects and even simple home repairs.
via BusinessMirror / Roderick Abad
