BACKGROUND

"Makaya" in Filipino means " to be able to do or accomplish"

We drew inspiration from conversations with our advocates where they shared their experiences in Project Buhay. We often hear:

"Dili hapos, pero gikaya." (It wasn’t easy, but we made it.)
"Lisod pero makaya." (It’s difficult, but we can do it.)
"Mahirap pero kaya namin." (It’s hard, but we will endure.)

These words come from farmers, mothers, and community advocates who push forward despite hardships.

problem 1

Abundance of animal waste

Millions of tons of animal waste are produced annually in the Philippines with limited to no manure management systems.

Manure releases methane, a greenhouse gas over 80x more potent than CO2
Manure often dumped in rivers and other bodies of water, impacting aquatic ecosystems
Pathogens spread through manure can be detrimental to livestock and farmer livelihood

solution

Sustainable waste management

Provides a sustainable waste management system for farmers
Traps methane being released into the atmosphere
Reduces animal waste being dumped in bodies of water
Controls and reduces the spread of pathogens
Makes a good neighbor by reducing odors up to 80%

problem 2

Soil Degradation

Soil Degradation is a major environmental threat facing the Philippines’ agricultural sector, with about 70% of the country’s land area affected by soil acidification and declining fertility.

Agricultural Practices: Conventional farming with staple monoculture crops such as bananas, pineapples and sugar cane rapidly remove essential nutrients like calcium, and magnesium which act as a buffer against acidification.
Nitrogen Fertilizers: Reliance on chemical fertilizers results in excess nitrogen leaching into soil and groundwater aquifer increasing soil acidity and contaminating sources of water.
Loss of Organic Matter: Natural and agricultural practices are reducing organic matter found in soil which is vital for the supply of nutrients, water retention, and soil structure.

solution

Biodigester Slurry

Contains organic matter and beneficial organisms which improves soil structure and health, enhancing water retention, reducing erosion, and preserving nutrients.
Replenishes essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which restores fertility for plants to grow.

What does this mean?

Increases crop yields up to 30-40%
Reduces the need and costs of chemical fertilizers

problem 3

Inefficient & Unhealthy Cooking Practices

Major environmental threat facing the Philippines’ agricultural sector, with about 70% of the country’s land area affected by soil acidification and declining fertility.

Health:

Indoor air pollution such as PM2.5* is the 4th largest health risk globally, with over 4 million deaths each year
Open fires are dangerous, leading to burns, accidental fires, and scalding, especially in homes with small children
The Philippines ranks among the highest in Asia-Pacific for deaths due to household air pollution at 8.4 deaths per 10,000 people

*Particulate Matter (PM) is a type of air pollutant that's extremely small and harmful to human health. It's made up of particles that are less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter which can travel into the deeper parts of the lung and body.
Environment:

Burning wood releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide and contributes to deforestation and the depletion of natural resources in rural areas
Traditional cooking methods are highly inefficient, with up to 90% of the heat energy being wasted

Gender:

Foraging long distances to collect wood exposes women and girls to the risk of harassment or assault
Women and children under 5 years old, who spend the most time near cooking fires, are the most affected by the associated health risks
Women and girls are disproportionately responsible for gathering fuel and cooking, reinforcing gender inequalities and limiting their opportunities for education or economic participation

solution

Renewable energy source

Creates a renewable, free energy source for cooking
Eliminates need for gathering and burning woodfuel
Significant reduction in risks associated with PM2.5
Biogas fire is safer, easier and quicker for cooking

problem 4

Limited Access to Sanitation Systems

Lack of Infrastructure:

~20 million people in the Philippines still practice open defecation, posing a risk to human health and the environment.
Many rural communities lack basic sanitation infrastructure like toilets and latrines.

Health Consequences:

Poor sanitation is linked to a range of waterborne diseases, including cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, and typhoid, which can lead to sickness and mortality, especially among children.

solution

Toilet system

Our biodigesters provide a simple, cost-effective solution for household sanitation by connecting easily to compatible toilet systems—eliminating the need for expensive septic tanks. Designed for quick installation, they offer an affordable way to improve family health and hygiene.

How it Works

Features

15-20 year

lifespan

Balloon style

for easy installation at site

Modular design

allows for adding components or expanding capacity

Low maintenance

Replaceable with parts sourced locally

Sustainable Development Goals

TRANSPARENCY

Working with farmers creating livelihood with waste

"Makaya" in Filipino means " to be able to do or accomplish"

problem 1

Abundance of animal waste

solution

Sustainable waste management

problem 2

Soil Degradation

solution

Biodigester Slurry

Inefficient & Unhealthy Cooking Practices

Renewable energy source

problem 4

Limited Access to Sanitation Systems

solution

Toilet system

How it Works

Features

15-20 year

Balloon style

Modular design

Low maintenance

Sustainable Development Goals

How we manage our projects

Creating a local ecosystem of opportunity: A biodigester marketplace

Ongoing Maintenance

Add-on Sales

Organic Fertilizer Sales

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