Waste management for manufacturers of building materials
Waste from the production of building materials can become a valuable raw material for subsequent production processes. Discover Interzero’s comprehensive range of services, which utilise proven technologies and innovative management approaches to increase material recovery rates and reduce waste management costs.
Problems and challenges in waste management within the construction industry
large quantities and volumes of post-production waste
the high costs of managing certain types of production waste (e.g. mineral wool offcuts)
growing pressure to increase circularity and improve ESG indicators
the requirement to sort construction and demolition waste into six categories
management of diverse waste streams within a single facility
the need to ensure frequent waste collection
Proven methods for managing post-production waste from the construction industry
We offer a collection and recycling service for post-production mineral wool waste in a cheaper and more sustainable way. We have developed a unique process for handling production waste, which involves shredding the material, formal recognition of it as a by-product and delivering it to a recipient who will use the shredded wool in their production process. This enables the problematic and costly-to-manage waste stream from a single plant becomes a source of valuable raw materials for another plant, thereby enabling a closed-loop material cycle and reducing the costs of material management.
The scheme we have developed for the management of post-production mineral wool waste is fully scalable, it produces consistent results and can be implemented in any plant manufacturing this type of thermal insulation material. As part of this service, we organise the entire process from start to finish – we collect waste from mineral wool production, send it to a rod mill where it is ground into a fine, sand-like particle, and then transfer it for reuse at a plant manufacturing building ceramics. Throughout this entire process The right choice of technology is of crucial importance Processing of mineral wool waste – the shredding is carried out in a way that preserves all the properties of the raw material required for the production of bricks and blocks. As a result, mineral wool residues not only replace some of the primary raw materials in the ceramic mix, but also facilitate the removal of moisture during drying and firing, thereby reducing the energy requirements of the process without compromising the quality of the finished products.
Production waste as raw material for another plant – an Interzero customer success story
The initial problem:
A mineral wool manufacturer was looking for a way to optimise the costs of managing waste from production and technological processes. Every month, the production plant sent over 1,000 tonnes of ground mineral wool for disposal. In addition to mineral wool, the plant also generated other specific types of waste: production dust, filter mats, water sludge and packaging waste (wooden crates, Mauzer-type pallet containers). The high weight and volume of the waste necessitated very frequent, even daily, collections, which further increased expenditure on waste management.
Our solution:
We utilised our proprietary method for managing post-production mineral wool waste and adapted it to the processes in operation at the client’s site. As a result, the ground wool could be classified as a by-product, and the manufacturer received an administrative decision confirming that all statutory conditions for classification as a by-product had been met. In the next step, we implemented the full logistics of the process – the mineral wool waste was collected from the client’s site and sent for grinding, enabling it to be used as a component of ceramic slurry.
Result:
The mineral wool manufacturer has reduced its waste management costs by as much as 50% and taken a further step towards achieving a circular economy. It has also reduced the number of subcontractors – in addition to mineral wool, Interzero collects other waste fractions from the plant – which has resulted in savings in terms of time and waste management staff resources. A manufacturer of building ceramics also reaped the benefits, having optimised its production process and reduced its consumption of energy and primary raw materials without compromising the quality of its products.
What will you gain from our service? The benefits of the circular economy in the construction sector
- Cost reduction
Reducing expenditure on the management of problematic waste - Support for the Circular Economy
Achieving the company’s environmental objectives, which in turn enhances its reputation and improves its environmental performance within the ESG framework - A single recipient for all waste
Improved communication and a reduction in the number of tasks relating to the administrative and accounting management of subcontractors - A positive impact on ESG
Improvement in the organisation’s waste management indicators - Professional service and advice
Interzero is responsible for the administrative procedures relating to the classification of production residues, and subsequently for adapting and implementing the service - Outsourcing of tasks
Freeing up the company’s internal resources and outsourcing this demanding waste management area to a specialist organisation
Interzero’s environmental services for the construction industry
management of all waste fractions generated at the plant
fulfilment of EPR obligations in relation to packaging in 31 European markets (the EU-27, the UK, Norway, Serbia and Switzerland)
developing bespoke waste management schemes for construction materials
the sorting of construction waste and the recycling of post-consumer waste
ongoing environmental consultancy
consultancy on PPWR, including packaging audits
environmental audit of a production plant
FAQ
Please write to us at platformaodpadowa@interzero.pl and briefly describe your situation. Our expert will review your enquiry and contact you to discuss the possibilities for working together.
Yes. We organise the collection and processing of all types of construction waste and other waste industrial and faulty products. We carry out one-off services (priced on a case-by-case basis) and a fixed, regular waste management service for the plantor the entire company.
Costs of cooperation are calculated on a case-by-case basis and presented to the client before the contract is signed. These include an agreed scope of services and a billing model. In addition, we analyse the total cost of ownership (TCO), taking into account potential savings, revenue from waste and the reduction of risks regulatory.
Not. Our mineral wool waste management scheme has been designed for production waste that is not contaminated with other materials (e.g. rubble, plaster, mortar, (with cling film). Even the best-preserved demolition waste does not meet the high quality criteria and does not fulfil the specifications required by the recipient. However, as part of a separate service, we handle the collection and appropriate the management of demolition waste, including mineral wool. You can find details of the offer on the website: Reception construction and demolition waste – Interzero’s services >>
The need to pay a product fee stems from the failure to meet the required recycling and recovery targets packaging and products covered by the ROP regulations in Poland (packaging, ZSEiE, batteries, tyres, oils and lubricants). To avoid the charge, a business can either meet the recycling and recovery targets itself or entrust this task to a specialist recovery organisation. As a recycling organisation we can take over the fulfilment of certain environmental obligations on behalf of our clients. Find out about our services relating to product levies and EPR in the EU >>
Environmental costs is a very broad term that encompasses a wide range of expenditure, depending, amongst other things, on the nature and scale of a company’s operations, including expenditure on waste management. Environmental costs can be reduced, amongst other things, by:
- increasing the rate of raw material recovery,
- optimisation of waste fractions,
- the sale of valuable raw materials,
- a reduction in the number of subcontractors,
- reducing costs arising from errors and administrative penalties,
- packaging optimisation,
- the proper management of EPR obligations.
The best results are always achieved by combining all these measures and having them co-ordinated by an experienced environmental consultant, who will carry out company environmental audit and identify the areas that could yield the greatest savings.
DPR Repurchase Terms and Conditions are determined on a case-by-case basis and depend on the current market situation and the type of documents. The client is provided with clear terms of cooperation and information regarding buy-back options as early as the quotation stage.
ESG initiatives can lead to tangible operational and financial benefits, rather than merely meeting the company’s environmental targets. Effectively closing material loops, making better use of raw materials, increasing recycling rates, reducing waste and optimising processes can lower costs and improve operational efficiency. Documented environmental performance also helps meet the requirementsogi customers, business partners and investors, strengthen the position companies in tenders and negotiations and reliably communicate the brand’s environmental responsibility.
We also work with other sectors
Contact
platformaodpadowa@interzero.pl
