MScSUS Students visit the Eco Parc and Integrated Valorisation Plant

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During the visit to the Integrated Valorisation Plant, the students of the Master of Science in Sustainability Management explored the facility’s different treatment systems designed to process urban waste efficiently. The plant integrates various technologies to recover energy and materials while minimizing environmental impact. Experts at the site provided insights into the operation of the plant, highlighting the importance of minimizing waste, proper primary sorting by the citizens, recycling, and waste valorization as the final step of the circular economy strategy.

This hands-on experience allowed students to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world applications, reinforcing the role of sustainable waste management in mitigating environmental challenges.

Waste Management in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona: Challenges and Solutions

In 2023, the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona generated approximately 3.7 million tonnes of municipal waste, according to data from the Agència de Residus de Catalunya. Despite efforts to promote recycling, only 46.7% of this waste was separated at the source by citizens for recycling, while the remaining 53% ended up mixed in general waste bins. Taking into account processing losses, the final recycling rate stood at 40.7%.

To address this challenge, the Metropolitan Area has set ambitious goals under its Metropolitan Program for Prevention and Management of Municipal Resources and Waste (PREMET 25). By 2025, the region aims to significantly reduce waste generation, achieve a 55% recycling rate, and ensure that its waste management system reaches carbon neutrality.

The Role of the Integrated Valorisation Plant

A significant portion of mixed waste—approximately 18.4% of the total municipal waste in the area—is directed to the Integrated Valorisation Plant in Sant Adrià de Besòs. This facility processes waste from multiple municipalities, including Badalona, Barcelona, Sant Adrià de Besòs, and Santa Coloma de Gramenet, as well as rejects from sorting facilities.

The plant consists of two key components: the Mechanical-Biological Treatment Plant (ECOPARC 3) and the Energy Valorisation Plant, both operated by TERSA. Ecoparcs handle unsorted municipal waste containing organic material. Through mechanical processes, they extract recyclable materials such as plastics, metals, and paper, which are then prepared for further recycling. The organic fraction undergoes biological treatment, generating biogas and bio-stabilized material suitable for specific applications, such as road restoration. Any non-recyclable residues, along with the biogas produced, are directed to the Energy Valorisation Plant.

Energy Recovery and Environmental Impact

The Energy Valorisation Plant employs a controlled co-generation process to incinerate residual waste and biogas, producing both electricity and steam. About 12% of the generated electricity powers the facility itself, while the remaining 88% is fed into the electricity grid. The steam is used in the district heating and cooling network that supplies over 100 buildings in the Forum and 22@ districts.

On an annual basis, the energy generated by this plant is approximately double the electricity demand of the Barcelona City Council. Moreover, by utilizing waste as an energy source, the facility prevents the release of 48,600 tonnes of CO2 emissions, contributing to the region’s sustainability efforts.

Key Takeaways from the Visit

The visit to this facility highlighted the critical role of efficient waste management in creating a sustainable future. It reinforced the importance of proper recycling and responsible consumption while also revealing the challenges that remain in the transition toward a circular economy. While significant progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to improve waste recovery rates and minimize environmental impact.