KALILANGAN, Bukidnon — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the municipal government of Kalilangan signed an agreement in early September to implement a waste management project using plastic densifier technology

DOST-Bukidnon Provincial Director Ritchie Mae Guno said the densifier is a machine that processes lightweight plastic waste—including film, bags, and foam—by melting or compressing it to reduce its size and increase its density.

“The purpose of this technology is to make plastic waste easier and more economical to handle, store, and transport for recycling or further processing,” Guno said.

She added that the machine can compress plastic into blocks or bricks, which may be used to make pavers, tiles, and other construction materials.

Guno said the project is part of DOST’s Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program, which addresses waste segregation issues, rising plastic waste, and limited livelihood options. Through the use of the densifier, Kalilangan aims to convert collected plastics into usable products instead of sending them to landfills.

Kalilangan Mayor Raymon Charl Gamboa said the local government will provide a plastic shredder as its counterpart contribution to the project.

“This partnership will not only help us reduce the growing plastic waste in our community but also promote recycling and the conversion of plastics into useful products. It can inspire other municipalities to adopt waste-to-resource technologies that ease pressure on landfills and curb plastic pollution in rivers and waterways,” Gamboa said.

He added that the project will support efforts to reduce plastic waste, develop livelihood sources, and contribute to Kalilangan’s solid waste management initiatives.

Gamboa said the agreement signals the start of joint efforts between the LGU and DOST-Bukidnon to promote local development through science and technology. (JNCL/RLRB/PIA-10/Bukidnon)