Environmental > Waste, Sludge & Soil
Embracing sustainability at a corporate level requires managing industrial discharges and production waste as transparently as possible, which also translates to waste and sludge.
These areas are central to control programs and increasingly relevant in determining the quality of the Supply Chain.
Our Waste Management Services:
- CER Classification of Waste
- Waste Characterization
- Analysis and Determination of Asbestos Presence, and Support for Identifying Necessary Countermeasures
- On-site Sampling
Waste Classification and Characterization
Production processes generate various types of waste, which must be classified according to specific regulations. It is necessary to identify the appropriate CER (European Waste Catalogue) code for the waste, assessing the presence of substances that may confer hazardous characteristics to the waste. Waste characterization is essential during the disposal or recovery phase of the waste. Waste that falls under the categories treated by “End of Waste” regulations, once analyzed and compliant, becomes secondary raw materials, transforming into marketable resources for the producer.
Waste Sampling and Analysis
We perform sampling and analysis on solid and liquid waste derived from various production activities and production scraps. Sampling is carried out according to regulations and is accredited.
Why is it Important to Analyze Asbestos Presence?
The primary risk associated with asbestos is the inhalation of its fibers. These fibers are released mainly due to the deterioration or maintenance of structures containing asbestos. According to the Consolidated Act on Workplace Safety, it is essential to assess the risk associated with the presence of asbestos in work environments. This assessment must be conducted through quantitative and qualitative analysis of asbestos fibers in the air. Our specialists detect the presence of asbestos in work environments and workstations. Additionally, we provide a report on the conservation status of structures containing asbestos.
Sludge
When residues from production processes accumulate in a muddy form, they are referred to as sludge. The analysis of this matrix is also fundamental in the ZDHC control program: the presence and quantity of harmful substances are verified according to an MRSL (Manufacturing Restricted Substances List) indicated in the guideline specifications.
Soil
For the analysis of earth and excavation rocks, the materials are evaluated for disposal and/or reuse, following the Operating Procedures established for the management of earth and excavation rocks, as provided by Article 186 of D.Lgs. April 3, 2006, n.152, or alternatively, if treated as by-products (DPR 120/2017). These materials can be reused in the same activity in which they were produced or in different activities or other production processes. The characterization of the excavation material is crucial to exclude any possible contamination with hazardous substances. When earth and excavation rocks are treated as waste, they must undergo a process of classification, securing, sampling of all granulometric fractions, on-site treatment, and management until final destination or recovery.
Why Analyze Soil?
Soil and land analyses are performed for two main reasons:
- To conduct agronomic studies to determine the suitability of the soil for specific crops or to optimize fertilization;
- To identify and quantify the presence of contaminants to plan remediation actions or to assess their efficiency.
Importance of Sampling
Regardless of the reason for soil analysis, establishing an appropriate sampling strategy is crucial: even the most precise analysis results will not provide a realistic picture of the site’s situation otherwise. This could lead to incorrect decisions, whether in terms of environmental remediation for contaminants or in the choice of crops or fertilization strategies for soils. Therefore, even for the sampling phase, it is essential to rely on qualified personnel who can pre-plan the number and location of samples to be collected, also evaluating through an inspection the specificity of the area to be examined.
