Non-hazardous industrial waste

Waste production is a constantly increasing phenomenon worldwide, and non-hazardous industrial waste represents a significant portion of this trend. This waste is produced by industrial and commercial activities and includes a wide range of materials, including production scrap, construction and demolition waste, and packaging waste.

The management of non-hazardous industrial waste is a complex challenge that requires an integrated approach taking into account economic, environmental, and social factors. The main objectives of non-hazardous industrial waste management are production reduction, separate collection, and sustainable treatment.

According to the most recent statistics, in 2021 the production of non-hazardous industrial waste was 12.7 million tons in Italy and 120.4 million tons in the European Union. In both cases, production is increasing compared to previous years.

The collection of non-hazardous industrial waste is also increasing in Italy and Europe. In 2021, the collection of non-hazardous industrial waste was 12.1 million tons in Italy and 117.4 million tons in the European Union.

The treatment of non-hazardous industrial waste is carried out mainly through recycling and energy recovery. In 2021, in Italy, 41.5% of non-hazardous industrial waste was recycled, 39.7% was recovered for energy, and 18.8% was disposed of in landfills. In the European Union, recycling and energy recovery rates are 47.1% and 43.8% respectively.

Sources: ISTAT, “Ambiente – Noi Italia 2023“, ISPRA, “Rapporto Rifiuti Speciali Edizione 2022” and Eurostat, “Waste statistics“.

The production and collection of non-hazardous industrial waste are increasing in Italy and Europe. The percentage of waste recycled or recovered for energy is increasing, but the percentage of waste disposed of in landfills is still significant.

Among the challenges that European countries will have to face in the future are the reduction of waste production, the improvement of separate collection, and the increase of recycling and energy recovery rates.

To reduce the production of non-hazardous industrial waste, it is necessary to promote prevention and eco-design. Prevention consists of avoiding waste production in the first place, while eco-design consists of designing products and production processes that generate less waste.

Among the measures that can be implemented to promote prevention and eco-design are:

• The introduction of fiscal measures that reward companies adopting prevention and eco-design practices.
• The development of guidelines and technical standards that promote the use of materials and production processes with low environmental impact.
• The dissemination of information and training on prevention and eco-design practices.

Improving separate collection is another important aspect for the sustainable management of non-hazardous industrial waste. Separate collection allows waste to be separated based on its characteristics, facilitating its treatment and reuse.

Among the measures that can be implemented to improve separate collection are:

• The introduction of widespread and accessible separate collection systems.
• The promotion of information and awareness campaigns on the benefits of separate collection.
• The adoption of pricing systems that reward companies that recycle.

Increasing recycling and energy recovery rates is essential to reduce the environmental impact of non-hazardous industrial waste. Recycling allows materials to be recovered from waste, reducing the need to extract new raw materials. Energy recovery allows energy to be produced from waste, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Among the measures that can be implemented to increase recycling and energy recovery rates are:

• The introduction of binding targets for countries and companies.
• Support for investments in recycling and energy recovery facilities.
• The promotion of research and development of new technologies for waste treatment.

The management of non-hazardous industrial waste is a complex challenge, but it is a challenge that can be met through targeted and coordinated measures.

According to ISPRA data, in 2022 there were 18,485 companies specializing in industrial waste management operating in Italy. Of these, 51% operated in the waste transport and disposal sector, 22% in the waste recovery and recycling sector, and 27% in other sectors, such as consulting and training.

In the European Union in 2022, according to Eurostat data, there were 180,000 companies specializing in industrial waste management. Of these, 53% operated in the waste transport and disposal sector, 23% in the waste recovery and recycling sector, and 24% in other sectors.

The industrial waste management sector is a growing sector in Italy and Europe. The number of companies specializing in this sector is increasing, and it is expected to continue growing in the coming years.

Some time ago, a specialized company in the sector, whose site manages industrial waste from production activities and large industry, contacted SatrindTech for a treatment line for the collected and stored waste.

SatrindTech designed, manufactured, and installed a complete treatment line consisting of several elements.

The heart of the line consists of a 110 kW twin-shaft shredder model K 20/150 with hydraulic drive.

The loading system is equipped with a 5 m motorized roller conveyor, on which operators load the pallets of material to be treated (loading units, LU). The roller conveyor carries the LU to the entrance door of an elevator, which receives the load, carries it to the upper point at 10 m height, where the LU is discharged into the shredder hopper.

A hydraulic arc ram in the hopper helps prevent the bridging effect to which the material could be subject.

The shredded material is discharged onto a 12 m rubber belt conveyor with pneumatic jet cleaning system, which carries it to a collection pit, from where it is picked up by a hydraulic grab for the next processing phase.

Numerous sensors are located along the entire line, to manage the entire cycle automatically, entirely controlled by a single control panel with a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC).

Our sales team is at your disposal to provide you with further information and present our wide range of industrial shredders and support you with your waste shredding requirements.