• More than 700 professionals from companies, institutions and public administrations share ideas to move forward in waste management

More than 700 professionals from companies, public administrations, public-private consortiums as well as waste management technicians shared experiences to advance the circular economy of resources with a vision of the future at the seventh edition of the RECUWASTE congress held at the Tecnocampus in Mataró. For two days, a debate was held on the evolution of resources, changes in production and consumption and how the circular economy is the key to anticipating a more sustainable future.

Organised by Maresme Circular, the brand of the Maresme Waste Consortium, the congress brought together more than 60 experts who shared experiences and knowledge that allowed attendees to learn about good practices and the most innovative systems to approach the challenges set by current regulations and thus achieve future goals. There was unanimous agreement on the role that both institutions and companies should play, especially in their role in transforming the waste economy, placing citizens at the centre.

This congress addressed the issue of the economy of resources, focusing on the crisis of materials, and also on energy and decarbonisation of waste management processes. In this regard, it was noted that in the EU most countries have a mixed waste management format, some to generate energy and others to transform it into other materials.

In the debate on critical fractions, there was consensus on emphasising that in the textile sector there is a need for greater public awareness to explain that this is a municipal waste, the collection of which is stagnating at 12% with the current system. Examples were shared to improve results.

Once again, the complexity of packaging management was highlighted and the need to make collective efforts with manufacturers, producers, marketers and distributors was stressed.

In the innovation and industry 4.0 block, it was highlighted how the incorporation of emerging technologies and digital transformation can optimise management processes thanks to applications based on artificial intelligence, blockchain and robotisation, among others.

In economic matters, the different taxes and fees that are applied to different areas of the State and the need to harmonise a fair rate that internalises the costs of waste management were discussed. Finally, on the role of public administration, the different political leaders invited agreed on the need for good planning, awareness-raising campaigns, improving financing systems, continuing with the public-private commitment and ensuring that waste is not used as a weapon for political confrontation.

The president of Maresme Circular and mayor of Mataró, David Bote, presents the Alfonso Maíllo Award to Cetaqua. Cetaqua’s Project Manager, Anton Taboada Santos, collects the award / Marga Cruz

Alfonso Maíllo Award

The Alfonso Maíllo Award has been granted to the initiative of Cetaqua, Water Technology Centre with its ECOVAL project. This project has shown that WWTP sludge and urban biowaste have great potential for the development of biofactories. From these, volatile fatty acids and sustainable raw materials can be produced in the chemical industry to obtain products such as lubricants, paints, bioplastics or cosmetics.

With this award, RECUWASTE wants to contribute to the promotion of innovative public and private initiatives in the field of waste prevention and waste management.

About RECUWASTE

RECUWASTE is the professional congress for the sustainable management of municipal resources and waste, organised by Maresme Circular, the brand of the Maresme Waste Consortium. It is the benchmark meeting for professionals, whether they be managers, companies, organisations or administrations, linked to the circular economy and the management of municipal waste. The seventh edition was held on 14th and 15th November 2023 at the Tecnocampus in Mataró under the slogan ‘The circular economy of resources: anticipating the future’.

Attendees at the 7th edition of the Recuwaste congress in the Foyer of the TecnoCampus in Mataró / Marga Cruz