.svg)
A study has released its findings on the management of industrial waste, both hazardous and non-hazardous. Between 2014 and 2017, preparation for reuse increased by 22.2% and recycling by 59%. This study was conducted among 200 companies representing a total tonnage of 2.8 million tons of hazardous and non-hazardous waste.
The disposal and destruction of industrial waste fell by 16.2% between 2014 and 2017, in favor of recycling, preparation for reuse, and material recovery.
Growth in recycling and preparation for the reuse of industrial waste
In 2017, the recycling of industrial waste and the recovery of organic waste through soil application accounted for 47% of total waste treated, compared to 34% in 2014. Over four years, recycling grew by 59% (1,298,745 tons in 2017 versus 817,046 tons in 2014). The recycling or recovery of organic substances not used as solvents (including composting and other biological transformations) jumped by 97.9% (203,995 tons treated in 2017), that of metals and metal compounds rose by 73.25% (673,421 tons in 2017), while the recycling of other inorganic materials increased by 29.50% (413,420 tons in 2017).
Meanwhile, preparation for waste reuse grew by 22.2%: 319,396 tons in 2017 compared to 261,332 tons in 2014.
Increasingly responsible waste disposal practices
In 2017, waste disposal accounted for 26% of total waste treated, compared to 35% in 2014. Over the four years observed, disposal decreased by 16.2% to reach 719,785 tons in 2017 (compared to 859,139 in 2014). Lagooning (e.g., discharging liquid waste or sludge into pits, ponds, or basins, etc.) decreased by 99.59%, discharges into aquatic environments (excluding immersion) by 53.03%, deposits on or into the ground (e.g., landfilling, etc.) by 43.75%, disposal in specially engineered landfills (e.g., placement in sealed cells, separated, covered, and isolated from each other and the environment, etc.) by 23.36%, and incineration on land by 15.23%.
Waste incineration with energy recovery decreased by 22.58%, in favor of material recovery. For example, land spreading for agricultural or ecological benefit jumped by 83.24%, and solvent recovery or regeneration increased by 25.22%.
Reminder: waste treatment hierarchy
The waste treatment hierarchy prioritizes the following, in order, after prevention:
- preparation for reuse;
- recycling and organic waste recovery through soil application;
- any other recovery, particularly energy recovery;
- disposal (Article 4 of the Directive, Article L.541-1 of the Environmental Code).
Study methodology
The study was conducted using anonymized data entered by 200 industrial companies between 2014 and 2017 in the waste management software from Tennaxia. It covers 2.8 million tons of hazardous and non-hazardous waste, representing 15% of the total tonnage in France.
As a reminder, the waste management module helps meet regulatory requirements for the traceability, treatment, and transport of hazardous and non-hazardous waste generated by industrial companies. It automates the issuance of Cerfa waste tracking slips as well as the annual declaration of pollutant emissions and waste, better known as the "Gerep declaration." It also facilitates the tracking of waste treatment and shipping costs.