GSO teaches simple waste composting method for residents

The General Services Office is encouraging residents to learn and adopt simple waste composting practices to enable them to manage their biodegradable (nabubulok) refuse right at their own homes. 

GSO Officer Eugene Buyucan said their office is currently conducting an information campaign on composting methods using very simple techniques through the conduct of lectures and distribution of instructional materials.

He said a simple composting method would only require any container, big or medium-size which can be plastic, wood or cement where biodegradable wastes can be stored.

“Just cover the biodegradable refuse like food scraps with a small amount of soil for drying and repeat the process.  The compost can be used in one to two months for their backyard garden,” he said.

Other methods such as the use of African night crawlers can also be employed.

Buyucan said that under Republic Act No. 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000) and Ordinance No. 18-2016 (Environment Code of the City of Baguio), it is the obligation of the public to manage their biodegradable or compostable wastes.

He said they are also working with barangays to set up their composting stations to enable them to help their constituents manage their biodegradable wastes, especially those with no spaces to do their backyard composting. 

For barangays that still have no composting systems, households and businesses are strongly urged to adopt simple composting practices.

Currently, the city’s daily solid waste production is at 550 tons and biodegradable refuse comprises 39 percent of the total wastes generated. – Aileen P. Refuerzo