Integrated waste treatment

The main activities carried out at the plant include sorting and recycling urban waste, anaerobic digestion and quality composting of recycled urban waste and disposal of non-dangerous special waste in landfills . The main objectives, in line with all applicable regulations, are to increase the amount of recycled materials and energy and reduce the amount of waste in landfills. 

Additionally, in Orvieto there are two energy plants powered by biogas produced by the anaerobic section of the waste treatment plant and by landfills.
In 2019, the plant’s intake of waste was 99,910 tons. Of which 44% was sent to the anaerobic digestion and composting section of the plant to be processed and produce quality compost and electricity, while the rest, approximately 56,700 tons of waste, was disposed of in landfills.

Biogas production for use in the electricity production chain is one of the key activities carried out in the Orvieto plant. It is a complex process that we will attempt to simplify in these steps.

1. Waste entering the plant is sorted to ensure the greatest possible recovery of materials.
2. The sorted waste is then transferred to the conduct lots, where it undergoes two further processes: compacting and covering with clay.
3. In these conditions, the waste degradation process generates biogas.
   
4. The biogas is completely captured and used for the production of electricity.
   
5. The energy produced from the combustion of the biogas is released to the electricity distribution network.