A Study on the Classification of a Mirror Entry in the European List of Waste: Incineration Bottom Ash from Municipal Solid Waste

Beatriz S. Bandarra (), Sónia Silva, Joana L. Pereira, Rui C. Martins and Margarida J. Quina
Additional contact information
Beatriz S. Bandarra: CIEPQPF, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima, Pólo II—Pinhal de Marrocos, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
Sónia Silva: Teramb-Empresa Municipal de Gestão e Valorização Ambiental da Ilha da Terceira, EM, Central de Tratamento e Valorização de Resíduos da Ilha Terceira, Canada do Cidral n°55, São Bento, 9700-135 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
Joana L. Pereira: CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Rui C. Martins: CIEPQPF, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima, Pólo II—Pinhal de Marrocos, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
Margarida J. Quina: CIEPQPF, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima, Pólo II—Pinhal de Marrocos, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 16, 1-19

Abstract: In the European Union (EU), waste is classified according to the List of Waste (LoW) and relying on the assessment of 15 hazardous properties (HPs). Incineration bottom ash (IBA) from municipal solid waste is a mirror entry in the LoW, which leads to extremely different management options within the EU. IBA has shown potential for different applications under a circular economy perspective, contributing both to avoiding waste landfilling and the consumption of natural resources, such as sand and gravel. In this context, IBA evaluation and classification play a significant role in understanding which protection measures should be taken. This work aims to present an assessment of the 15 HPs and the consequent classification of IBA using data from the industry. Each HP is assessed based on knowledge of waste, chemical composition considering concentration limits for hazardous substances, and/or through tests (chemical, physical, or biological). According to the criteria followed, 5 out of 6 samples from a Portuguese Waste-to-Energy plant were considered non-hazardous. Only one sample was classified as hazardous due to the assignment of HP 10, which resulted from Pb content (0.36%) above the concentration limit established for this property (0.3%). Nonetheless, although most hazardous entries in the LoW have this classification based on HP 14, the results obtained for the samples of this work seem to indicate IBA from this study is non-ecotoxic. Moreover, it has been suggested that IBA could possibly achieve the End-of-Waste status according to the Waste Framework Directive. For such purpose, clear criteria should be laid down to safely use the material, and testing is a crucial step.

Keywords: waste classification; mirror entry; incineration bottom ash; hazardous properties (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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