Filipinos Turn Volcano's Ash, Plastic Trash Into Bricks
Faizan Hashmi Published January 18, 2020 | 12:22 PM
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
Binan, Philippines, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Jan, 2020 ) :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.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
UHS declares MBBS first prof, MS urology exam results
Separate coaches to be hired for ODIs, Test and T20I formats
Finance Minister calls for reforming tax system to improve country's economy
PM calls for joint efforts to check smuggling, power theft
Infinix Unveils a Vibrant New Chapter with Wahaj Ali: The face of Infinix NOTE 4 ..
PM makes two more appointments in his team
Terrorists of Shangla suicide attack will be brought to justice: Interior Minist ..
Applications Open for 6th Cycle of Start-up Incubation under the National Expans ..
Join vivo's "Light it Up" Social Media Contest in Ramadan to Win vivo V30 5G
Pakistan v New Zealand T20I series: Tickets to go on sale from today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 29 March 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 29 March 2024
More Stories From Business
-
Exchange rates for currency notes
5 minutes ago -
PTC rebuts misleading tax loss figures, seeks fair market competition
1 hour ago -
Economy commences on better note in 2024: Finance Minister
1 hour ago -
Gold rates up by Rs.3,800 to Rs.234,800 per tola
1 hour ago -
SACM directs authorities to find out solution to problems of miners, crush plants
1 hour ago -
Weekly inflation falls slightly
2 hours ago
-
Uzbekistan's Ambassador, Pakistan’s Commerce minister forge path for enhanced economic ties
2 hours ago -
Finance Minister calls for reforming tax system to improve country's economy
2 hours ago -
Economy commences on better note in 2024: Finance Minister
2 hours ago -
BIST 100 up at Friday’s open
3 hours ago -
Biden administration approves $60M to rebuild Baltimore bridge
4 hours ago -
China to export homegrown tunnel-boring machine to Italy
4 hours ago