Pyrolysis: A cleaner way to burn garbage, says DOST chief

Trash burning may soon shed its reputation as one of the dirtiest practices in waste management, thanks to science.

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said new technologies like pyrolysis offer cleaner ways to dispose of garbage while minimizing harmful emissions.

“Marami na pong teknolohiya para mapababa ang emisyon kapag nagsusunog. Ang isang ginagawa natin ay pag-pyrolize, ito ay isa sa mga teknolohiya na pwedeng gawin na hindi ka magkakaroon ng polusyon sa hangin,” Solidum said in an interview on DZRH News’ Special on Saturday on August 30.

He explained that pyrolysis, a process that decomposes waste at high temperatures without oxygen, can turn trash into fuel while reducing smoke and pollutants.

The Philippines’ science chief also cited ongoing pilot research on waste-to-energy projects, including trials at the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

But he cautioned that such facilities must be strategically placed.

“Kung mag-waste-to-energy tayo, ang planta dapat malapit o nakakabit sa grid. Mahirap kasi kung nasa liblib na lugar, walang koneksyon, sayang,” he said.

Solidum noted that lawmakers’ earlier concerns about waste burning were valid at a time when technology was limited.

“Noong unang panahon, wala pa masyadong technology kaya may concerns ang ating mga mambabatas. With better technology, ang emission ng pollutants ay mababawasan,” he said, adding that scientific advances now make cleaner burning possible.

At a sustainability exposition in Taguig City on Friday, August 29, the DOST showcased technologies available to both government and the private sector to help reduce waste.

Solidum highlighted efforts around the circular economy, such as recycling plastics, using food waste in biodigesters to produce fertilizer, and employing automated materials recovery facilities in large cities.

“Sa ganitong teknolohiya, hindi na natin kailangan ng landfill,” he said.

Waste-to-energy remains a key option, Solidum added, but with careful consideration of what materials to reuse, recycle, or convert.

“Pwede namang may modification, yung mga plastic pwede magamit ulit, at ‘yung mga susunugin, pwede gamitin fuel energy,” he said, stressing that waste management must combine multiple approaches rather than rely on landfills alone.

The DOST also sees a need to revisit existing environmental laws, particularly the Clean Air Act, to account for cleaner burning technologies like pyrolysis.

“Kailangan i-review kung posible ito na ayusin para makapagbigay ng magandang polisiya,” Solidum said.

But for Solidum, the challenge is not only scientific but also economic. He urged broader support for innovations like biodegradable plastics and bioplastics, which remain costly because of limited production.

“Kapag na-patronize na iyan, mas magiging mura. Tulad ng solar energy, ang solar panel noon napakamahal, ngayon na marami nang dumadami, nagmumura na,” he said.