Shell LiveWIRE Final Pitch Day 2024 Winner Spotlight: Green Solutions.PH

Green Solutions.PH is a trailblazer in sustainable energy, focusing on innovative waste-to-energy solutions. The company transforms diverse waste streams—such as landfill debris, market refuse, industrial residues, and hazardous medical waste—into renewable energy. Its core expertise lies in producing biofuels and generating power while promoting effective waste management practices. By leveraging advanced technologies, Green Solutions.PH minimizes environmental damage and supports the circular economy. With that, why don’t you join me in learning more about Green Solutions.PH with its CEO and Co-Founder, Ian Fred Solas.

What inspired you to start Green Solutions.Ph, and how did you identify the need for waste-to-energy solutions in the Philippines?

Green Solutions started as a pivot company from IF Green Technologies. We observed that here in Negros island, trash would often pile up. Second, we observed that the power here was intermittent. This was where the idea arose. How could we hit two birds with one stone and turn Negros trash into something renewable. Something powerful. Our first direction for planning was not given much attention because it was a highly costly project. At the same time, the process was too technical. But somehow, we were able to come up with a solution.

We had garbage in a pyrolysis machine which became successful. At the same time, the Local Government Unit (LGU) supported us on how we could use biofuel and turn it into power. The LGU helped us with the waste-to-energy solution. At first, Green Solutions was still a part of IF Green Technologies. However, because of the progress we made. We decided to pull this out of the company so that it could solely focus on the waste-to-energy program. This was how Green Solutions came to be. Currently, we are in the exploratory stages of further expanding into different regions in the Philippines. 

Could you explain the specific technologies you use to convert waste into clean, renewable energy?

Since biofuel comes from algae, the operation was very costly. That's why we looked for raw materials which came from another problem, which is waste. This was how we converted them into biofuel. This was how our pyrolysis system made produce. At the same time, the banker fuel we got, we converted it into biodiesel. The biodiesel that we get from landfill waste, we converted into fuel for the generators that we supply to a community. That's how the program for energy was expanded. At the same time, the Department of Energy also helped us on how to credit the company as an energy supplier. That's how the government supported us for the Waste-to-Energy program

What are some of the key innovations in waste-to-energy that set Green Solutions.Ph apart from other companies in the industry?

In Green Solutions, we applied for the DENR compliance certificate for zero carbon emission waste. What we secured is a patent filtration system that came from the pyrolysis machine. In effect, Green Solutions created a technology for the filtration system that DENR could approve. This is our edge here, the filtration system. We designed it and had it made in Japan because we know the quality of Japan is good in terms of the carbon emission process. The aim of Green Solutions is to have zero carbon emission in our processes. 

Can you share any specific success stories where your technology has had a positive impact on waste management and sustainability?

An example would be here in Bacolod. There is one barangay here that is a dumping area for garbage. Before, you couldn’t see the water level because the coastal area was where the garbage was dumped. It becomes a catch basin for plastic. Green Solutions partnered with the barangay to control this first, not entirely stop it. In the first month, we were able to finally see sand. We gathered 14 tons of waste in that area. In the second month, we gathered 10 tons until we were able to finish it. After that, we were able to build a coastal garden in the area. 

Another example would be here in Bacolod as well. Here, in restaurants and in every mall, there is a law that prohibits dumping or selling used cooking oil to others. What we did was we incentivized these used oil and used the machine to turn this waste into biodiesel. Since our beneficiaries are all farmers and fisherfolk in Bacolod, we sold this biodiesel at a lower price to these beneficiaries, almost half off. This inevitably had a positive impact on them. 

How was your experience with Shell LiveWIRE? How does it feel to have won the Final Pitch Day? 

The Department of Energy (DOE) mandates the entire fuel industry to blend the CMA biodiesel. Prior to Shell LiveWIRE, we had a deal with the DOE and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) that I would maintain the price of 15 pesos per liter of CMA biodiesel. When Shell Livewire happened, the DOE and PCA were afraid that I might privatize. Their offer in exchange to us was that Shell gave me an opportunity to market our company to the whole country. Shell LiveWIRE became an opportunity for Green Solutions. Up to now, I can't believe that it's been almost a month since that happened. Shell LiveWIRE allowed us to become exposed to other industries and investors. I'm very thankful to Shell, to the team of Techshake, and IGNITE that helped me.

Ian Fred Solas is the CEO and Co-Founder of Green Solutions.PH. He is responsible for driving the organization’s vision and operations, particularly leading the development and execution of the company’s strategic initiatives in waste-to-energy technologies and sustainable solutions. His presence is needed to lead the company into success. As witnessed, Ian is incredibly committed to turning waste into energy. Not only that, but he is also passionate about improving the lives of farmers and fisherfolk alike. 

Visit www.techshake.asia if you would like to know and connect more with Green Solutions.PH.