An island paradise battles a flood of garbage

Tropical beaches and futuristic skyscrapers – the Philippines are an emerging nation, economically and touristically. This Southeast Asian country is establishing itself in the service sector, especially financial services, and is also making great strides in the tourism industry. At first glance it is not easy to see that this island nation of 112 million confronts huge problems. One of them is waste disposal, which has become well-nigh unmanageable. Due to the limited space available many trash dumps are overflowing; about 40,000 tonnes of waste need to be disposed of daily (!) in the Philippines. Most of it is concentrated in urban centres around the capital Manila, Cebu City and other big cities. A law on ecological waste management is on the books but is hardly ever applied. Therefore it is all the more urgent for this nation of over 7600 islands to look for new, sustainable solutions. FDR Integrated Resource Recovery Management (FDR-IRRMI) in Naga City on the island of Cebu is a pioneer in waste treatment.

„We’re glad that with FDR-IRRMI we have a visionary actor in the Philippine waste management industry by our side.“

– Stefan Windisch

Area Sales Manager
for the Philippine Market

Founded in 2010, FDR-IRRMI is part of the FDR company group. It currently processes around 250 tonnes of municipal waste daily from three cities, Naga City, Minglanilla and Carcar. On its 7-hectare site waste is separated into its components – recyclables are recycled, organic waste is turned into valuable compost, and residual waste is transformed into refuse-derived fuel (RDF). Organic waste is also used to generate electricity. The stated goal of FDR-IRRMI is the complete reclamation of all waste, to completely eliminate waste dumping. The company’s performance proves that it is on the right track: Since its founding, it has processed over 400,000 tonnes of waste with a reclamation rate of over 90%.

A vision, a goal

In refuse-derived fuel in particular FDR-IRRMI plays a pioneering role that is so far unique in the country. Since the start of the project the company has made over 150,000 tonnes of alternative fuel from plastics and other combustible materials, replacing fossil fuels. FDR-IRRMI is also the first in the country to use biogas technology to make energy from the organic component of municipal waste. “An intact circular economy through the reclamation of different materials and re-cyclables has top priority for us,” notes Fulgencio D. Revalde, CEO and President of FDR-IRRMI. Since the founding of the company he has followed the vision of developing sustainable solutions for the Philippines’ waste management problem. To gain inspiration and knowledge he visited many different waste disposal plants on many worldwide trips, including to Austria to visit Komptech. That company’s technology impressed him, and today multiple drum screens as well as a Terminator from Komptech are helping this Philippine industry leader make its vision of ecological sustainability a reality.

For FDR-IRRMI the reclamation and reuse of materials have the highest priority. This takes valuable materials back into use and reduces the need for primary raw materials. Based on this, the company is building lasting links to industry through material reclamation, to the energy sector through biogas and refuse-derived fuels, and to agriculture through compost production.

„The Philippines have enormous potential. The more successfully we can solve the waste problem, the more vigorously the country’s beauty and economic development can unfold.“

– Fulgencio D. Revalde

FDR-IRRMI CEO

Cebu City: Wealth and poverty in stark contrast.

(Imag: Mdv Edwards – stock.adobe.com)

The waste problem: Overloaded trash dumps pollute sea and beaches as well.

(Image: Mdv Edwards – stock.adobe.com)

Waste disposal in cities is not easy, also due to poor infrastructure.

A pioneer project was created on the island of Cebu.

Support from Komptech: Austrian guests at FDR-IRRMI.

Reclamation: The goal is to reuse up to 100% of waste.

Komptech machines at work

In the spring of 2025 the first Komptech machines were taken into service at the company’s plant. “We’re proud to be part of Cebu’s first fully functional plant for processing mixed municipal waste into refuse-derived fuel – a pioneering project that not only contributes to solving the local waste problem, but also reduces the use of fossil fuels,” says Andreas Pichler of Komptech.

Light at the end of the tunnel: FDR-IRRMI has already processed some 400,000 tonnes of waste, and is now doing it with the help of Komptech drum screens.

„With the Komptech system, waste becomes a resource – an important step towards more efficient energy generation and more sustainable agriculture and waste management.“

– Andreas Pichler –

Product Manager at Komptech

Pre-sorting is done by a Maxx screen drum, after which a Terminator single-shaft shredder dependably and steadily shreds mixed house-hold and commercial waste. The resulting homogeneous mass is ideal for further use. FDR-IRRMI’s innovative waste management approach is not just a step on the Philippines’ way to a tropical paradise, but also a worldwide signal for sustainable and forward-looking solutions.

From waste to valuable refuse-derived fuel