An environmental advocacy group is urging the local government to provide space for waste segregation facilities in the city’s barangays.

Gary Rosales, president and co-founder of Kinaiyahan (Kahugpungan para sa Kinabuhi ug Kinaiyahan, Inc.), told the Philippine News Agency on Thursday that Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in the barangays need ample space to accommodate recyclable trash.

“The lack of space on which an MRF can be built is the number one reason why barangays outside the población (city proper) cannot fully implement their mandate on collection of biodegradable and recyclable waste,” he said.

Rosales, a resident of Barangay Bantayan, pointed out that piles of plastic bags and sacks at the Bantayan MRF were segregated recyclable waste waiting to be picked up by scrap buyers.

The present size of the Bantayan MRF, he said, cannot accommodate the volume of trash segregated for recycling. He also highlighted the need for the city to help the barangays by purchasing land for new MRFs.

Kinaiyahan is also supporting efforts to shut down the pyrolysis machine at the city’s MRF in Barangay Candauay, following a study that showed it was emitting toxins harmful to humans and the environment.

The group War on Waste-Negros Oriental is promoting a Zero Waste Management program, with already five barangays—Bantayan, Looc, Piapi, Calindagan and Banilad—having established MRFs with the group’s assistance. (PNA)