BINAN, Philippines, Jan 18, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Ash spewed by a Philippine
volcano 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.
The Taal volcano burst into life nearly a week ago, sending towering dust
columns into the sky and leaving nearby Binan city coated in fine grey
powder.
Environment officials 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.
It is also plagued by some 20 major storms annually and regular, powerful
earthquakes which together kill hundreds of people each year.
Due to its position on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” zone of seismic
activity, it also has periodic volcanic eruptions.
Taal’s jets of lava and 15-kilometer (nine-mile) walls of ash have sent
more than 70,000 people into evacuation centres and prompted warnings that a
far bigger eruption could happen at any time.
With volcanic ash and plastic both in plentiful supply, the officials in
Binan see their project as a silver lining.
“During these times, our creativity becomes apparent,” said the mayor of
Binan, Arman Dimaguila.