Abra NGO turns bamboo waste into fuel

 

 

 

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Here's yet another use for the humble but versatile bamboo: as charcoal, an inexpensive source of energy.

 

A non-government organization in Bangued town in Abra cooked up a stove-like device to turn bamboo ashes into pieces of charcoal, GMA Ilocos' Argie Lorenzo reported Friday on GMA News TV's "Balita Pilipinas Ngayon."

 

"Gawin ang waste materials, pwedeng panggatong na lang. Pero pwede ring i-commercialize, gawing charcoal," Industrial Handicraft (In-Hand) executive director Michael Paredes said.

 

With the equipment, the process of turning bamboo waste into charcoal can take four hours.

 

The group has given some of its devices to local beneficiaries, who said they can use the charcoal for cooking, or even sell the charcoal as livelihood.

 

"Panluto at pwede ibenta," said resident Olive Quipay.

 

Bamboo is widely used in Abra to make furniture and handicrafts. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News