ADB, P&G test viability of waste-to-energy plant

The Asian Development Bank has partnered with Procter & Gamble Co. to explore the possibility of building waste-to-energy plants in the Philippines.

If found viable, the first plant could be piloted in the Philippines by 2016, the ADB said.

The project seeks to generate up to 2 megawatts of power using solid waste collected from homes and businesses.

It also aims to eliminate the need for a landfill, as less than 1 percent of the waste is expected to remain after processing and this may be recycled for use in products like asphalt.

Also, the project aims to develop the municipal solid waste management system into a profitable and flexible business model and supply chain for the collection and treatment of municipal solid waste.

ADB said it had approved a technical assistance plan worth $385,000, equivalent to 60 percent of the total cost, to help determine the viability and sustainability of waste-to-energy projects.

P&G is conducting the studies as part of its long-term sustainability goal of having zero consumer or manufacturing waste go to landfills.

It is estimated that around 6,700 tons of solid waste is generated every day in Metro Manila alone but only 720 tons are recycled or composted, the ADB said.