the RU MRF Processes

This system has been developed by RU Foundry in support of the Philippine government's Solid Waste Management Act, or R.A. 9003. RU Foundry has small to large scale MRFs avaible, depending on the needs of a particular area.

Recyclables consist of different materials that include plastics, paper, and glass. These are sorted and processed individually. The plastics are further segregated based on the world standard numerical coding. The classified plastics are then processed in the Plastic Shredder and packaged for export to factories in order to yield better prices. The glass materials, which are segregated by color, are processed in the Pulverizer/Crusher. These are also for export to factories.

Meanwhile, the market and yard wastes, which are mostly organic materials, are processed separately. These biodegradable items go through the RU Shredder. This high quality, metal-casted machinery has powerful rotating blades that hasten the decomposition process by reducing the garbage into a fibrous, easily composted state.

For faster composting and investment returns, the shredded materials are composted using the windrows method. Using the Compomix Windrow Turner, the compost pile is aerated every other day to produce high quality compost by volume. The finished compost will then be ready for use or sold as soil conditioner. Or the compost may be processed further through vermicomposting in order to yield high quality organic fertilizer (vermicastings) that can be sold at a premium price.

Aside from the MRF for recyclable and biodegradable wastes, RU Foundry provides a composting facility using the Vermicomposting and Bokashi technology. This facility can produce high quality organic fertilizer that can improve the production of local farms, increase profit, and give more livelihood opportunities for the people.

Training and technology transfers will also be given for MRF operators as well as for local folks who are interested in vermicomposting, bokashi, and bio-intensive urban gardening. If necessary, RU Foundry will assist in the marketing of recyclable materials, vermicompost, and compost worms.

Additionally, RU Foundry will set up a garden showcase for demonstration purposes so that people who are interested to grow vegetables in their backyard can learn from it. It will also be a venue to promote the backyard production of organic fertilizer from available biodegradable waste and the propagation of organically grown high value crops.

The benefits of an effective Materials Recovery Facility may be felt by people at the consumer level as well as the entire human race. But it also requires a carefully studied system that will become an effective tool for a holistic garbage disposal system. This system will not only handle an area's garbage problem but will also treat it at the source, generate income for its constituents, and improve the ecosystem as well.