The Quezon City government has received 25 biodigesters and food waste-on-wheels from the United Nations Development Programme in the Philippines and the Japanese Government to boost the city’s transition to a circular economy and further strengthen its food waste recovery strategy in communities.
Mayor Joy Belmonte expressed her gratitude as the city received the equipment from First Secretary and Agriculture Attaché of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines Jumpei Tachikawa and UNDP resident representative in the Philippines Selva Ramachandran.
She also thanked the UNDP and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for making Quezon City part of this initiative.
“Food waste constitutes 43 percent of the total waste generated in the city so we must establish a robust and effective food waste recovery program. These biodigesters and food waste-on-wheels from UNDP and the Japanese Government will help the city attain a low-carbon future,” she said.
Ramachandran believes the equipment would support Quezon City in expanding its efforts towards a circular economy.
Biodigesters break down kitchen and food waste such as vegetable peelings and spoiled or tainted food. The biogas can be utilized for cooking, while the liquid by-product can be used as soil conditioner for gardening.
According to Belmonte, the 25 biodigesters would be deployed in barangays Bagong Pag-asa, Sto. Cristo, San Antonio, Talayan, Batasan Hills, Payatas, E. Rodriguez, Mangga, Escopa III, Marilag, St. Ignatius, Libis, East Kamias, Loyola Heights, Milagrosa, Kamuning, Pinagkaisahan, Roxas, Central, Bagbag, North Fairview, Kaligayahan, Talipapa, and Culiat.
A biodigester would also be located at the Joy of Urban Farming Demo-farm to process food waste and showcase the technology.
“Communities are the most affected by the consequences of climate change. Through these biodigesters and food waste-on-wheels, we can effectively engage the community to participate in the city’s climate action, thus ensuring that the solutions are tailor-fit to their needs and challenges,” the city mayor said.