{"id":11333,"date":"2025-02-26T12:16:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T11:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bianna.com\/actualidad\/are-we-making-the-most-of-our-waste\/"},"modified":"2026-04-28T13:43:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T12:43:05","slug":"are-we-making-the-most-of-our-waste","status":"publish","type":"actualidad","link":"https:\/\/bianna.com\/en\/news\/are-we-making-the-most-of-our-waste\/","title":{"rendered":"Are we making the most of our waste?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Waste, energy, raw materials, and how to capitalize on them. Circularity properly understood.<br\/>Both at an industrial and individual level, we generate tons of waste every day that can end up in landfills or recycling systems. We are now aware of the scale of generation, but are we truly achieving the most optimal waste management?  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much waste do we generate and how much of it is recoverable?<\/h2>\n\n<p>According to various studies, an average household generates between 1 and 2 kg of waste per person per day. Eurostat data for Spain in 2022 shows a production of 487 kg\/inhabitant per year (this is equivalent to generating between 1 and 2 kg of waste per person per day).<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1156\" height=\"1156\" data-id=\"9808\" src=\"https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-02-1.jpg\" alt=\"Capitalizing on waste\" class=\"wp-image-9808\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-02-1.jpg 1156w, https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-02-1-480x480.jpg 480w, https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-02-1-720x720.jpg 720w, https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-02-1-960x960.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1156px) 100vw, 1156px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: Eurostat [env-wasgen] &#8211; latest available data (2022)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1156\" height=\"1156\" data-id=\"9812\" src=\"https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-03-1.jpg\" alt=\"Capitalizing on waste\" class=\"wp-image-9812\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-03-1.jpg 1156w, https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-03-1-480x480.jpg 480w, https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-03-1-720x720.jpg 720w, https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-03-1-960x960.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1156px) 100vw, 1156px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: Eurostat [env_wasum]- latest available data (2022) *Ireland (2020), Czech Republic and Greece (2021)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Bianna-BLOG-001-02-1.jpg\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n<p>For their part, companies produce tons of waste annually, depending on the sector.<\/p>\n\n<p>According to the latest data published by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ine.es\/dyngs\/INEbase\/es\/operacion.htm?c=estadistica_C&amp;cid=1254736176841&amp;menu=ultiDatos&amp;idp=1254735976612\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Statistics Institute<\/a>, the distribution is as follows:<\/p>\n\n<p>We can classify this waste into three major groups:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Industrial organic waste<\/strong> (agricultural by-products, food industry waste, sewage sludge, etc.): These represent a major source of biomass and can be used to produce biogas or compost.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Recyclable inorganic waste<\/strong> (metals, plastics, paper, cardboard, glass): These are highly recoverable through recycling and reuse, contributing to the circular economy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Non-recyclable or hazardous waste<\/strong> (chemical waste, solvents, used oils, contaminated materials): Some can be transformed into refuse-derived fuels (RDF), while others require specialized treatment. A significant portion of this volume is recoverable, either through recycling or energy recovery. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"490\" src=\"https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-04.jpg\" alt=\"Capitalizing on waste\" class=\"wp-image-9792\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-04.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-04-480x168.jpg 480w, https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-04-720x252.jpg 720w, https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-04-960x336.jpg 960w, https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-04-1250x438.jpg 1250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From waste to fuel: Is it viable?<\/h2>\n\n<p>Waste can be transformed into energy in various ways:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Biogas<\/strong>: When organic waste is decomposed in the absence of oxygen, it generates methane, a gas that can be used as fuel to generate electricity or heat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Energy conversion:<\/strong> Some non-recyclable waste can be incinerated in waste-to-energy plants, generating electricity and heat. However, this practice must be carried out under strict controls to avoid polluting emissions. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Refuse-derived fuels (RDF)<\/strong>: Certain waste materials, such as specific plastics, papers, cardboards, wood, and textiles, can be converted into fuels used in cement plants and other industries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Conversion into new materials:<\/strong> There are materials (mainly polyolefins) that can be reconverted through chemical processes back into their primary formats for use as hydrocarbons or as chemical principles for the production of new plastic products.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"490\" src=\"https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-05.jpg\" alt=\"Capitalizing on waste\" class=\"wp-image-9804\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-05.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-05-480x168.jpg 480w, https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-05-720x252.jpg 720w, https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-05-960x336.jpg 960w, https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-05-1250x438.jpg 1250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which waste is recoverable?<\/h3>\n\n<p>Not all waste can be used for energy. <strong>Hazardous waste, such as batteries, chemicals, or certain plastics with contaminants, must be treated in a specialized manner.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n<p>There are sectoral plans to achieve a circular economy by 2050 in Europe, distinguishing the main lines of work such as:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Plastics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Textiles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Electronics and ICT<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>Specific solutions that provide a high degree of return must be applied to all these sectors.<\/p>\n\n<p>For companies, managing waste efficiently is not only an environmental responsibility but also an economic opportunity. Implementing recovery strategies allows for reduced operating costs, minimized environmental impact, and contribution to a more sustainable economy. <\/p>\n\n<p>Following the current situation, a large rate of waste is still diverted to landfills:<br\/>The key lies in optimizing separation processes, promoting reuse, and collaborating with waste management plants that maximize energy recovery. Ultimately, industrial waste can stop being a problem and become a valuable resource. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"490\" src=\"https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-06.jpg\" alt=\"Capitalizing on waste\" class=\"wp-image-9796\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-06.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-06-480x168.jpg 480w, https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-06-720x252.jpg 720w, https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-06-960x336.jpg 960w, https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-06-1250x438.jpg 1250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p>At Bianna, we work on recovery through the various methods that current technology allows, while also working year after year on developing advancements that increase this recovery capacity.<\/p>\n\n<p>Under a circular economy model, we design and integrate specific lines for energy or material recovery to produce thermal or electrical energy, or to obtain new raw materials that ensure the circularity of the process.<\/p>\n\n<p>We have a global vision of the process and management routes. But at the same time, we maintain a holistic view; that is, every situation requires a unique approach. One company may only require material segregation to increase its economic value in the market. However, for the same material flow, another company may require energy production to ensure (or minimize) its exposure to energy value fluctuations in today&#8217;s markets.   <\/p>\n\n<p>From analysis to the implementation of the solution, to fulfill our vision: to be a leading company in the design, manufacture, and commissioning of waste management solutions.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"490\" src=\"https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-07.jpg\" alt=\"Capitalizing on waste\" class=\"wp-image-9788\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-07.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-07-480x168.jpg 480w, https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-07-720x252.jpg 720w, https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-07-960x336.jpg 960w, https:\/\/bianna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bianna-BLOG-001-07-1250x438.jpg 1250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":9801,"template":"","categories":[203,204],"class_list":["post-11333","actualidad","type-actualidad","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-plant-engineering","category-recovery"],"meta_box":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bianna.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/actualidad\/11333","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bianna.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/actualidad"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bianna.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/actualidad"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bianna.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bianna.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9801"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bianna.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11333"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bianna.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11333"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}