Cebu City plans to adopt Japan’s waste management system

Local

CEBU City plans to draw from Japan’s waste-to-energy and circular economy systems.

Mayor Nestor Archival visited facilities in Yokohama and Tokyo that convert trash into electricity and sharply reduce landfill dependence.

Archival, who is in Japan for an official mission from February 25 to 28, said in a socia media post on Friday, Feb. 27, that the city aims to adopt practical lessons from Japanese local governments on turning waste into a resource while keeping communities clean and safe.

“Today in Japan, we continued learning from facilities on waste-to-energy and circular economy systems,” Archival said.

He said cities such as Yokohama and Tokyo have demonstrated how investments in technology, discipline in waste segregation, and community participation can minimize landfill use and generate sustainable energy.

The mayor said the visits form part of Cebu City’s cooperation with ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability under the Asian Circular Cities Declaration, a regional initiative promoting sustainable urban systems.

Archival outlined key takeaways for Cebu City: treating waste as a resource, combining technology with strict compliance to achieve cleaner communities, investing early in clean and socially accepted technologies to avoid higher future costs, and ensuring active community participation.

“Our goal is simple: cleaner barangays, less landfill cost, sustainable energy for Cebu,” he said.

He added that the city will work with partners to develop solutions that are “practical, affordable, and good for our people.”

Archival left for Tokyo on Feb. 25 to participate in the Asia Smart City Conference, a two-day trade and healthcare mission organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

While he is away, Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña is serving as acting mayor until Archival’s return on February 28.

The Tokyo trip marks Archival’s second scheduled mission to Japan. A previous visit to Yokohama in November 2025 was canceled as Tropical Depression “Verbena” approached the Visayas.(TGP)