Global warming

Thermal increase of the planet. The causes have to be found in the concentration of a series of gases in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas.

Environmental quality

Measurable attributes of a product or process that together demonstrate its health and ecological integrity.

Climate change

Measurable attributes of a product or process that together demonstrate its health and ecological integrity.

Characterization of residues

It consists of classifying the waste generated in an industry in order to properly manage it. Their classification as dangerous or non-dangerous entails clearly different treatments and procedures.

Cellulose

Biopolymer obtained by removing all incrustation of lignin, resin and other organic matter, by treatment with alkalis, acids, sodium sulfide, etc. It is the raw material for making paper, artificial silk, cellulose lacquers and films.

Scrap

Remains produced during the manufacture or consumption of a material or product. It applies both to used objects, whole or not, and to fragments resulting from the manufacture of a product. It is used to designate metals and, to a lesser extent, glass.

Biogeochemical cycle

Description of geological and biological processes that affect an element of an ecosystem.

Weather

Set of the average atmospheric conditions of a place. These include the average daily temperature, the maximum and minimum daily temperatures, the average value of humidity, the percentages of cloudiness, sun and rain, and the direction and speed of the winds, all measured by months and year. The climate depends on the latitude, the situation with respect to the oceans and continents, and the geographical conditions of the place.

Manifold

Conduit, generally underground, that collects waste from other conduits.

Fuel

Solid, liquid or gaseous materials that, when burned with air or pure oxygen, provide thermal energy.

Combustion

Combination of chemical elements such as oxygen. Air pollution through exhaust gases and exhaust heat is due, for the most part, to combustion products.

Compaction

Phase in the disposal of waste products in landfills. Its objective is to reduce the space required by garbage and avoid the gap between them.

Compost

Biochemically stable humus-type material, made up of organic and mineral matter and about 40% water and a neutral or slightly alkaline pH. It results from the decomposition of organic matter by anaerobic or aerobic processes. Also called mulch.

Composting

Complete recycling of organic matter through which it is subjected to controlled fermentation (aerobic) to obtain a stable product with defined characteristics and useful for agriculture.

Organic chemical compounds

Substances produced by plants or animals that are formed by carbon, preferably, but also by hydrogen and oxygen.

Natural pollutant

Pollutants emitted by the different natural processes of the ocean, forests, volcanoes, swamps, electrical storms, etc.

Toxic pollutants

Materials that pollute the environment and that can cause disease, death or inherited defects in living organisms that ingest them. The amounts and times of exposure required to cause these effects can vary greatly.

Containers

Containers with a capacity between 5 - 10 tons provided with a compaction system. Once full, they are replaced by empty ones. They are used in markets, airports and large shopping centers.

Environmental control

Legal and technical measures that are applied to reduce or avoid the alteration of the environment and the conservation of ecosystems, as a consequence of human activities, or due to natural disasters.