THE ZAMBOANGA City government is planning to convert the 4.6 hectare former Lumbangan dumpsite into an ecological park with waste recycling facilities and a solar energy farm. In a statement released last week, Gerry R. Pollisco of the Office of City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) said post closure activities being undertaken by the City Engineer’s Office at the dumpsite, which ceased operation in 2015 with the opening of the Pasobolong sanitary landfill, is now almost 90% complete. Mr. Pollisco explained that the waste recycling facilities at the planned eco-park will help prolong the lifespan of the sanitary landfill. The park is also being considered for use as an input source for waste-to-energy facilities that will be open to private investors. Based on OCENR’s waste characterization survey, plastics compose 39% of the total waste disposed at the sanitary landfill while 61% is biodegradable waste.

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