EURO-ECO 2010 Hanover 2 - 3 Dezember 2010	Environmental, Engineering - Economic and Legal Aspects for Sustainable Living
	European Academy of Natural Sciences, Hanover European Scientific Society, Hanover University of Bremen, Bremen

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Germany pretreats a total of around 25 % of urban wastes by means of MBT technology (MBT = Mechanical-Biological Waste Treatment). This technology is based on a material stream specific waste treatment. It means that the material properties of residual wastes - which are varying to a large extent - determine the selection and specification of treatment steps.

A large part of today’s residual wastes remaining after the collection of all substances which can’t be recycled by means of material recovery and therefore need to be disposed of are a very inhomogeneous mixture of various materials with very differing properties. Some of these wastes are from mineral origin and thus inert, i.e. are not able to react. Others consist of dry materials like plastics, textiles, paper or composites, all of them showing energy contents higher than average.

Some others with higher portions of organic material are able to be biologically degraded and are possibly able to produce usable gas. Here the principle of material stream specific waste treatment starts to become effective.

Material specific waste treatment segregates waste mixtures in different fractions. A first treatment step is the mechanical preparation where the waste mixtures are released from impurities and harmful substances, then classified in different partial streams, comminuted and prepared for the following treatment steps. Used for these purposes are e.g. sorting excavators, shredders, screening and mixing equipment, separators for the heavy and light fraction as well as for ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

In most cases the subsequent biological treatment steps are based on aerobic treatment by means of different decomposition processes. The scope ranges here from open decomposition processes on landfill areas to completely encapsulated systems with exhaust air treatment. To some extent anaerobic digestion steps are integrated, producing -under air tight conditions - usable biogas.

In Germany about 50 MBT plants have been installed. These plants are pre-treating approx. 6 million tons of municipal solid waste annually.

ASA is the association of German MBT plant operators. The main targets of ASA are: The promotion of waste stream specific waste treatment. Extensive exchange of experience and knowledge in planning, construction and operation of mechanical biological treatment plants by means of meetings of working groups and plant operators with the target to provide all members with the experiences about planning, realisation and operation of plants as well as with findings from research.

• Support in the optimisation of plants and their operation.
• Utilisation of plant capacities in a network / establishment of a common shortfall concept.
• Support of members and public relation work.
• Organisation and management of the international ASA Waste Days Conference.
• Research projects and expertises.
• Statements on legislative drafts and ordinances for German and EU legislation.

ASA is an active member in the European Compost Network (ECN) e. V. and in the Quality Assurance Association for Secondary Fuels and Recycling Wood (BGS) e. V.

 

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