Pinoys turn Taal’s ash, trash into bricks

Bricks made of volcanic ash are laid out outside a brick-making facility in Biñan, Laguna. REUTERS
Bricks made of volcanic ash are laid out outside a brick-making facility in Biñan, Laguna. REUTERS

ASH spewed by Taal is being mixed with plastic waste to make bricks in an inventive response to the country’s persistent problems of pollution and frequent natural disasters.

Environment officials of Biñan, Laguna did not just clean up the mess but decided to combine the ash with sand, cement and discarded plastic to form about 5,000 bricks per day for local building projects.

“Instead of just piling up the ashfall somewhere, we are able to turn it into something useful. And it includes plastics, too,” said city environmental officer Rodelio Lee.

The Philippines faces a waste crisis, with a report last year saying it uses a “shocking” amount of single-use plastic, including nearly 60 billion throwaway sachets per year.

With volcanic ash and plastic both in plentiful supply, the officials in Biñan see their project as a silver lining.

“During these times, our creativity becomes apparent,” said Biñan mayor Arman Dimaguila. (AFP)

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