The Department of Science and Technology (DoST) branch in Nueva Ecija is promoting compact composting systems as part of a broader push to build a green, circular economy at the barangay and household level.
Through the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), it is introducing two technologies designed for local waste reduction: the Dual Drum Composter for communities, and the Household Tumbling Composter for families.
According to the DoST, the goal is to convert biodegradable waste into compost instead of sending it to landfills, while also creating a usable product for agriculture.
Science Research Assistant Engineer Johnemma Belonio of DoST-ITDI said the technologies were developed to help local government units (LGUs) manage organic waste more efficiently.
“With the dual drum and household composters, a significant share of waste can be processed on site rather than being brought to sanitary landfills,” Belonio said.
The Dual Drum Composter is intended for villages (barangay) and municipalities. It can process up to 100 kilograms of biodegradable waste per batch. The Household Tumbling Composter, is a manually operated unit designed for home use, allowing families to manage kitchen scraps and yard waste directly.
Both systems rely on proper waste management practices. Belonio explained that effective composting depends on balancing green materials, brown materials, air, water, and moisture to allow natural decomposition.
To support adoption, DoST-ITDI provides training and technical guidance to users. Interested LGUs and communities may also coordinate with Provincial Science and Technology Offices, which facilitate technology transfer from the institute to local implementers.
Linking waste reduction to agriculture
Officials said the compost produced can be used as a soil conditioner or organic fertilizer. This creates a direct link between waste management and farming, enabling communities to improve soil health while reducing input costs.
By encouraging composting at both community and household levels, the program aligns with Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, which mandates waste segregation and reduction.
DoST said the initiative also supports the Marcos administration’s agenda to strengthen environmental protection through science and innovation, and build more sustainable communities.
The approach reflects a growing interest in small-scale, decentralized solutions to waste.
Rather than relying solely on large, centralized facilities, the composters allow waste to be processed where it is generated. This can cut collection and transport costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from landfills.
For LGUs, the technology offers a practical entry point into the green industry. Villages can establish local composting sites that serve residents and nearby farms, while households can produce their own fertilizer for home gardens.
DoST-ITDI said it will continue to work with local governments to expand training and deployment of the systems. The aim, according to the institute, is to make composting a standard practice that benefits both the environment and local food production.
As more communities face pressure to manage waste and support agriculture, DoST said small-scale composting is being positioned as a tool that addresses both, turning a disposal problem into a resource for soil and crops.
