The city government here is exploring a waste-to-cement technology as part of its solid waste management efforts.

Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. on Wednesday met with Republic Cement & Building Materials, (RCBM) Inc. managing director for ecoloop Angela Edralin-Valencia to discuss the proposed waste-to-cement conversion using the plastics that are collected in the city through its Walang Plastikan-Plastik Palit Bigas project.

The project, which was launched last January, aims to encourage residents to practice waste segregation in their own homes, as well as to reduce if not eliminate the use of plastics to achieve a cleaner and greener environment.

Through the project, the city government collects recyclable plastics from residents in exchange for rice.

One kilo of recyclable plastics is equivalent to one kilo of rice.

To date, the plastics collected are being made into brick pavers through the use of plastic shredder machines, the first of its kind in the city and in Pampanga.

RCBM, a company engaged in the manufacture of cement, can use alternative fuels such as polyethylene plastics, polystyrene packaging material, and other non-recyclable combustibles, for co-processing in its cement manufacturing operations.

So far, it has partnered with over 30 local government units for its local solid waste management initiatives. (PNA)