Bacolod City is known for its thriving agricultural and food industries. However, the city also faces a significant challenge in managing agricultural, market and food waste, which often ends up in the Bacolod Sanitary Landfill,at  Brgy. Felisa. Organic waste that is  poorly disposed of in the city leads to environmental pollution and health hazards. The Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) recently reported in their Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (2023) showing 38% of the Sanitary Land Fill waste is composed of organic or food waste. As food, market and agricultural waste continues to contribute to environmental pollution, emission of methane gases and Green House Gas (GHG) especially in landfills and vacant lots, there is an urgent need to manage these waste, improperly managed waste contributes to land and water contamination which poses health hazards.

In alignment with global Sustainability Development Goals and the Philippine circular economy framework, this project proposes the implementation of vermiculture, the practice of using African Night Crawler earthworms to convert organic, market and household waste into valuable products e.g. fertilizers, as a viable solution for managing food and agricultural waste. Vermiculture not only addresses waste management issues but also contributes to soil fertility and can create new economic opportunities through the production of organic fertilizers, creating green enterprises and jobs in Bacolod City. 

This project will work towards achieving food circularity, where waste from one sector (agriculture, food, and household waste) is repurposed as a resource for another (organic fertilizers and soil improvement) in line with the European Union Philippines  Green Economy Programme Project (GEP). Vermiculture presents a sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly approach to waste management while fostering a greener, more resilient economy for BacolodCity.

The main purpose is to establish a sustainable vermiculture system in Bacolod City that effectively converts agricultural and food waste into valuable organic compost, enhancing soil health and reducing waste in landfills as a way to reduce food waste, recycle organic materials, and create jobs. 

By promoting a circular economy through the transformation of organic waste into compost for urban gardens and farms, the initiative aims to raise public awareness, support green enterprises, and enhance the city’s waste management system while fostering environmental education and policy development.