During the meeting we explained to the participants our contribution to the challenges of recovering industrial and hazardous waste.

With the aim of addressing the importance of recycling and waste recovery as an alternative to reducing the generation of waste in landfills, in addition to explaining the contribution that we as Hidronor make to the country thanks to our services focused on the management and treatment of industrial waste and dangerous, we recently participated in the seminar “Transforming waste into energy: challenges and opportunities in Chile”, organized by Codexverde and the School of Biotechnology and Environment of the University of the Americas (UDLA).

Together with prominent executives from the sector, in this instance we seek to promote knowledge and discussion about the best practices that are implemented today in the industry, as well as emerging technologies in waste treatment for recycling and recovery, promoting a sustainable approach. and efficient in waste management.

By way of introduction, Carolina Escandón, Head of Central Zone Sales at Hidronor Chile, highlighted that currently in Chile 18 million tons of waste are generated annually, of which more than 600 thousand correspond to hazardous waste, a figure that draws attention and It requires that as a country we raise awareness in the correct management of waste to reduce its accumulation.

Recovery alternatives: Solid Alternative Fuel (CAS) and Liquid (CAL), aerosols and solar panels

Escandón explained that the energy recovery of solid waste (such as textiles, wood, plastic, among others) “allows us to produce Solid Alternative Fuel (CAS), which replaces the use of fossil fuels, reducing the carbon footprint and contributing to the objectives of the circular economy and a more sustainable operation."

“Likewise, we use discarded liquid industrial waste, such as lubricating oils, solvents and paint residues with calorific value, as raw material to generate Liquid Alternative Fuel (LIC), which, like solids, can be generated by different means. industries, such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, consumer goods, food, tobacco, among others, so they must all take responsibility for the waste they generate and go to specialized companies (such as Hidronor) to correctly manage their waste,” he added.

Por otra parte, la ejecutiva advirtió que, en Chile, más de 90 millones de aerosoles se consumen cada año. “Cerca del 93% de estos residuos son destinados a rellenos sanitarios, considerando que, por sus características, estos pueden ser tóxicos y corrosivos, lo que los convierte en residuos peligrosos. En Hidronor creamos una solución innovadora para valorizar estos residuos a través de la implementación de un proceso que logra descontaminar los envases, cambiando su caracterización de residuos peligrosos a “no peligrosos”, por lo que pueden ser enviados a cualquier destinatario autorizado en revalorización de residuos metálicos no peligrosos, facilitando así la reintegración de este producto al proceso productivo”.

A estas alternativas de valorización también se suma la capacidad de Hidronor para valorizar paneles solares, los cuales, debido al crecimiento de este rubro, se estima que produzcan cerca de 300 mil toneladas de residuos al 2050. “Buscando disminuir estas cifras y seguir aportando a la sustentabilidad ambiental de Chile, en Hidronor contamos con la capacidad de reciclar hasta el 77% de los residuos generados por la acumulación de paneles solares o destinar a confinamiento menos del 30% de éstos, contribuyendo así a la circular economy del país, además del cumplimiento de la REP Law y las políticas de sostenibilidad ambiental de las empresas. Extraemos el aluminio, vidrio y la propia celda fotovoltaica para reinsertar sus componentes en la cadena productiva”, comentó.

Finally, the meeting allowed those present to clarify some doubts with the experts, who added valuable information to conclude this productive meeting.

At Hidronor we remain committed to the objectives of the circular economy and a more sustainable operation thanks to the recovery of waste!

You can review Carolina Escandón's presentation in the following link.