SCRIPT: DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A BATCH-TYPE BIOREACTOR FOR

SMALL-SCALE ORGANIC WASTE COMPOSTING

[Scene 1 - General problem about organic/biodegradable wastes]

Rhona: Organic waste management is crucial for promoting sustainable development —

especially in agricultural countries like the Philippines. With rapid development and increased
agricultural activity, the country generates massive amounts of biodegradable waste every
single day. But here’s the problem: most of it isn’t utilized effectively — or worse, it’s disposed of
improperly.

Randy: According to the United Nations Environment Programme, Filipino households generate
almost 9.4 million tons of organic waste annually — not even counting commercial waste. This
leads to serious consequences: environmental degradation, rising greenhouse gas emissions,
poor soil health, and water contamination.

[Scene 2 - Problem sa Caringal’s Farm]

Isabelle: In rural agricultural communities like Brgy. Santol, Balayan, Batangas small farms like
Caringal's Farm produce a lot of organic waste, about 30–57 kg/week. Although it can be
composted, it is usually thrown away or being left to rot inefficiently.

CJ: Traditional methods like open-pile or pit composting are still widely used, thanks to their
simplicity. But they’re not without flaws: they are time-consuming, slow, and unreliable due to
inefficient aeration, poor regulation of moisture, and absence of uniform mixing. These
drawbacks result in loss of nutrients, foul odor, and overall compost quality and performance
deterioration.

[Scene 3 - SDG 2: Zero Hunger]

Jay: Hunger and food insecurity persist in rural areas due to poor soil health and the high cost
of farming inputs. Many small-scale farmers can’t afford chemical fertilizers, which affects their
productivity. However, organic waste like corn husks and dried leaves, often discarded, can be
composted into nutrient-rich soil amendments.

Randy: By giving farmers access to reliable compost made from their own waste, we reduce
their dependence on commercial fertilizers, improve soil fertility, and help restore productive
farming cycles. In doing so, we address Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger —
not just by growing more food, but by empowering farmers with the tools to grow it sustainably,
independently, and affordably. Through innovation in composting, we nourish the soil, boost
harvests, and bring us one step closer to a hunger-free future.
[Scene 4 - SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities]

Rhona: Without access to formal waste management systems, food scraps and crop residues
often end up in open dumps, backyards, or even in water channels. These practices not only
contribute to foul odors and air and water pollution, but also affect the health and safety of the
community. But what if waste didn’t have to be a burden? What if it could be transformed into
something beneficial, right in the community?

CJ: Instead of sending organic waste to landfills, where it emits methane and adds to the
burden of local governments, the bioreactor helps communities convert waste into compost,
reducing volume, controlling odors, and keeping neighborhoods clean. By supporting localized
composting solutions, the Batch-Type Bioreactor contributes to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities
and Communities — helping build cleaner, healthier, and more resilient barangays for
generations to come.

[Scene 5 - SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production]

Isabelle Every harvest leaves behind a trail of waste — corn husks, plant residues, fruit peels,
and spoiled produce. In most farms, these by-products are discarded, left to rot, or burned —
wasting valuable resources and contributing to environmental degradation. But in nature,
nothing truly goes to waste. What one cycle leaves behind, another cycle picks up — this is the
essence of circular consumption.

Rhona: The compost produced by the bioreactor is returned to the soil — closing the loop,
improving fertility, and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers that harm both ecosystems and
farmer budgets. By encouraging farmers and households to treat waste as a resource, we
cultivate a culture of resource efficiency, sustainability, and regenerative farming — where
production doesn’t end with consumption, but renews itself. This supports SDG 12:
Responsible Consumption and Production.

[Scene 6 - SDG 13: Climate Action]

Jay: Uncontrolled organic waste decomposition is a silent contributor to climate change.

As food scraps and farm residues rot in landfills or backyard piles, they release methane — a
greenhouse gas over 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Without proper composting
systems, this daily routine becomes a long-term environmental threat.

CJ: Through this aerobic composting method, organic matter is transformed without harmful gas
emissions — and instead becomes carbon-rich compost that’s returned to the earth. It’s a form
of climate-smart agriculture — enabling farmers to adapt to climate challenges while helping
reduce emissions. Through responsible composting and carbon-conscious farming, the
Batch-Type Bioreactor supports SDG 13: Climate Action — making every kilo of compost a
step toward a cooler, greener, and more resilient planet.
[Scene 7 - ALL ABOUT MACHINE]

[Scene 8 - Feasibility]

Andy: The designing of a batch-type bioreactor for small-scale organic waste composting. This
includes assessing technical needs, such as the aeration system design and the incorporation
of mixing mechanisms, to provide effective decomposition processes. Financial considerations
are also important, taking into account the costs of locally available materials and possible
savings from lower chemical fertilizer use. Market research assists in establishing the demand
by small-scale farmers and households for sustainable composting options. Through a detailed
examination of these factors, we can make sound awareness regarding the economic feasibility
of the machine and its potential for effective application.

[Scene 9 - Sustainability]

Isabelle: Incorporating a batch-type bioreactor in small-scale agriculture operations provides a

sustainable organic waste management solution, improving both agricultural productivity and
environmental health. This system promotes faster decomposition of organic materials, resulting
in nutrient-rich compost that enhances soil structure and quality. This process produces
compost that improves plant health and crop yields overall, increases soil water infiltration and
increases seed fertilization. By using bioreactors, farmers can recycle organic wastes efficiently,
minimize the use of chemical fertilizers, and ensure a more sustainable and resilient agricultural
system.​

[Scene 10 - Ending]

Jay: Organic waste doesn’t have to be a problem. With the right tools and mindset, it becomes
a solution — one that restores our soils, supports our farmers, and protects our future.

Rhona: The Batch-Type Bioreactor for Small-Scale Organic Waste Composting is more than
just a machine — it's a symbol of possibility. It proves that innovation doesn't have to be
complex to be effective.

Randy: Built for farmers, powered by engineering, and rooted in sustainability — this project
connects people, purpose, and planet.

Isabelle: We believe that sustainable change starts small — in every barangay, every
household, every farm — and grows outward.

CJ: So let’s compost the future. Let’s turn waste into wealth. Let’s engineer for impact — and
grow a cleaner, greener tomorrow.