ECOLOGICAL BENEFIT

70,000 tons of CO2 saved

The undisputed ecological benefit of thermal recycling through the preservation of vital resources is a key aspect of waste management. The ecological benefit can be described quantitatively using the indicators “CO₂ emissions saved” and “environmental impact points saved”, for example.

The recovery of metals from dry bottom ash compared to the primary production of these metals led to a saving of at least 70,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in 2023.

To save 70,000 tons of CO₂ per year, the following efforts would have to be made:

• Saving 28,000,000 liters of heating oil per year
• Operation of a large district heating network with an annual heat output of 350,000 MWh

This makes metal recovery from dry bottom ash by far one of the most ecologically and economically efficient climate measures.

Further literature
Study on the ecological assessment of metal recovery from dry MSWI slag by ZAV Recycling AG 
Authors: Jonas Mehr, Dr. Melanie Haupt, Prof. Stefanie Hellweg, ETH Zurich Institute of Environmental Engineering, Ecological System Design Group
 
Email: stefanie.hellweg@ifu.baug.ethz.ch 2020