WHO knew that even trash could be elevated to world-class status?
This seems to be the primary motivation behind the country’s latest and most environmental sanitary landfill, to date.
What happens to a piece of trash that we throw away is something that not many people bother to find out about. But if given some modicum of curiosity, it is refreshing to learn that Manila apparently has sophisticated sanitary facilities of our very own. Not to be confused with dumps that have developed a somewhat negative connotation, sanitary landfills are facilities that comply with strict environmental codes and regulations. Recently, the San Mateo Sanitary Landfill opened its doors to introduce the newest, surprising (and ironically clean) face of garbage.
A crash course on the San Mateo Sanitary Landfill’s method starts with heavily compacted clay to serve as the disposal area’s foundation. A nonporous material called High Density Polyethylene then serves as the entire lining for the expansive 19-hectare site.
This lining, meant to prevent any leachate from seeping into the soil, is even further covered with gravel and sand filter. This serves as the receiving area for the waste that our common households and offices generate. For each and every time that trash is dumped, San Mateo Sanitary Landfill uses garbage compactors to compress the load for yet another protective soil covering.
Whatever leachate that trash emits is then collected and contained in the Leachate Holding Pond, in preparation for the treatment procedure. The Leachate Treatment Center, a first of its kind, uses both biological and chemical processes to stabilize dirt water’s pH level and overall composition to the point of cleansing it back to functional water. It will be clean enough to be reused to water plants and ecological enough for fish to actually thrive in it. Not bad for supposed “trash water”!
But apart from the technical advances, it is also interesting how the San Mateo Sanitary Landfill has redefined an otherwise taboo project into a cutting-edge, showcase development. It boasts of a sprawling greenhouse to promote the coexistence of landfills and floriculture.
Also, a nursery was set-up to house more than 1,000 Mahogany seedlings to plant along the scenic bike paths that they have opened to the public every weekend.
Officially ushering its operations with a bike race among 300 cycling enthusiasts, the town of San Mateo, Rizal, now plays host to a landfill that successfully bridges sports tourism with industrial innovations.
Thanks to San Mateo Sanitary Landfill’s president, lawyer Andy Santiago, we were introduced to a sector that has remained low-key yet apparently affects our daily lives more than we thought.
How come it is only now that we really hear about sanitary landfill facilities?
Well, for a long time the general public was exposed to images of dumps that project filth and squalor. With the grand launch of San Mateo Sanitary Landfill, we are trying to raise awareness on what a true sanitary facility is and how it operates in an environmental context. We are ecologically-conscious and we are motivated to be an active player in community building.
How does a sanitary landfill exactly contribute to a community’s growth?
We are not a typical facility that just takes trash and collects them to sit around as an eyesore. We employ sophisticated, world-class technology that we are proud to present to our fellow Filipinos. The San Mateo Sanitary Landfill is so clean that we have even opened biking paths to local enthusiasts. Every weekend, they are free to enjoy both the site and its sights.
This is our concrete way of contributing to San Mateo’s vision of being the country’s “Mountain Biking Capital.” After all, the picturesque views are really breathtaking.
What is the long-term goal of San Mateo Sanitary Landfill both as a proponent for local sports tourism and as an industry player in the sanitation sector?
Primarily, we are here to offer modern solutions to the metro’s waste management needs. With the launch of this project, it will take a very, very long time before we experience another “garbage crisis” like we did many years back. The project’s expanse and ecological responsiveness alone basically eliminate the chances of another crisis altogether.
In addition, we also want this to be an “inclusive” undertaking that invites town residents and other Filipinos to take part in.
That is why we opened the site to help support San Mateo’s tourism efforts. We have a greenhouse for those with the green thumb, a gazebo for those who enjoy mountain views, and long bike paths for the hundreds of local cyclists.
You mentioned that garbage crises could be avoided with the San Mateo Sanitary Landfill’s operations. How long do you estimate can Metro Manila benefit from this project?
San Mateo Sanitary Landfill can accommodate up to 2,000 tons of trash a day. Right now, we are very far from utilizing even one-third of that capacity. And with all of the 19 hectares that was developed, it will take up to 80 to 100 years before this landfill gets filled to capacity. You can say that this is the literal “Landfill of the Century.”
Attorney Santiago also beamed with pride in saying that the National Solid Waste Management Commission would often cite the development as a showcase for both local and foreign industry players. It is surprising indeed that such a laudable project exists and how this sector plays a huge role in the metro’s daily grind. And with the launch of San Mateo Sanitary Landfill, even something as common as trash can now be positively redefined and have that undeniably ironic, yet refreshingly new face.
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IN PHOTO -- THE San Mateo Sanitary Landfill is the only facility to feature greenhouses, gazebos and bike paths open to the public and mountain biking enthusiasts.
