Industrial waste management

Italian regulations regarding industrial waste management are complex and rigorous, aiming to ensure both environmental protection and the safety of disposal and recovery operations. Legislative Decree 152/2006, known as the “Environmental Consolidation Act,” represents the core of the legislation. Legislative Decree 213/2022 introduced several amendments and new provisions regarding the circular economy, water protection, and environmental liability.

Part four of the Environmental Consolidation Act establishes the procedures for waste management. Here, a distinction is made between two main types of waste: urban waste and special waste. Special waste includes that derived from industrial and artisanal processes, commercial and healthcare activities, and disposal and recovery operations. Their classification is based on hazard criteria: hazardous and non-hazardous waste.

Waste characterization is a crucial step: the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the waste are analyzed to determine its legal classification and eligibility for specific disposal or recovery plants. This process is outlined in Article 184 of the Legislative Decree. 152/2006. For hazardous waste, reference is made to Annex D of part four of the decree.

The 2023 ISPRA report (Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) highlights that non-hazardous special waste from manufacturing activities represents approximately 17% of the total non-hazardous special waste for the year 2021, corresponding to approximately 26.1 million tonnes. This figure underscores the importance of correct and responsible management of such waste within the industrial and manufacturing context.

Industrial waste management requires careful risk assessment, as well as compliance with current regulations to ensure environmental safety and public health. Companies must not only comply with regulations for waste characterization and classification but also explore innovative solutions for recovery and recycling, in line with circular economy principles.

In a significant shift toward sustainable waste management, an innovative collaboration in Sicily has led to the creation of an advanced plant for the treatment of non-hazardous industrial waste. This plant, developed with the participation of a leading company in the collection and storage of waste produced by artisanal, industrial, and construction businesses, represents a step forward in the recycling and waste-to-energy cycle of materials.

The core of the plant is a powerful twin-shaft shredder, model 2R 20/150/SD, with a 110 kW (150 HP) hydraulic motor. This allows for the efficient shredding of waste, preparing it for the subsequent recycling or waste-to-energy process. The innovative loading hopper is equipped with water nebulizers for dust suppression and a hydraulic arc press to prevent material bridging. The hopper is provided with two suction inlets to allow connection to the customer’s existing system.

A polyp grab with a hydraulic bucket ensures effective and safe loading of the material.

A particularly interesting element is the integration of Industry 4.0 technology. The plant’s conveyor is equipped with three pairs of load cells connected to a Profinet network weighing system. This system automatically measures the weight of the treated material and transmits the data to the customer’s distributed control system (DCS) via the programmable logic controller (PLC), thereby improving process efficiency and transparency.

This infrastructure not only increases the waste treatment capacity to 4–7 tonnes per hour (depending on the materials) but also introduces an advanced level of process control and management thanks to the ability to send remote instructions and monitor plant efficiency in real time.

This initiative, in addition to contributing to the reduction of environmental impact in industrial waste management, is a clear example of how technology and innovation can be effectively applied to waste management, complying with Industry 4.0 principles and promoting sustainable practices in the industrial sector.

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