Herman P. Sablan, the firm’s vice president, showed lawmakers how the patented technology called pyrolysis-gasification, melting and vitrification method can convert waste into money.
The crystals that this process can produce, Sablan said, are used in construction and house decoration projects.
He said this will help the CNMI generate revenue while maintaining cleanliness and prolonging the life of the landfill.
The presentation, Sablan said, aimed to orient the Legislature on the new technology for which the CNMI can seek possible federal grants.
Sablan said 80 metric tons of trash can be converted into three to four megawatts of power.
But since the CNMI does not produce such a huge amount of trash, they can perhaps start with producing reusable materials out of the landfill’s content.
Rep. Ray N. Yumul, R-Saipan, said the main challenges in pursuing “such a great idea” are meeting the strict rules of the Environmental Protection Agency and the criticism of environmentalists.
He said the equipment that will be used should not produce some sort of pollution.
Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota, said the company should come up with a pilot project which will do the job on a small scale just to show the public how it works.
