The activities managed by the Hera Group generate various waste types. On the basis of the characteristics relative to waste type, following production, the waste may be subjected to recovery processes (energy or material) or disposal (managed internally by the group). The variety of plant types managed by Hera enables internal disposal of a large part of the waste generated in Hera plants.
The full integrated water service process includes treatment and disposal of wastewater treatment sludge. Over the last two years, rapid changes in the regional regulatory scenario (decree 2773 of 30-12-204 and modifications thereto) have seriously impacted wastewater treatment sludge management, both economically and logistically. As a means of disposal, agricultural sludge spreading was widespread up until just a few years ago. Nowadays, restrictions are increasingly severe with regard to concentrations of substances, leading, in 2005, to increased disposal by landfill or incineration. The situation with regard to concentrations will inevitably lead to research into new methods for final disposal of sludge. All waste produced is subject to disposal in group plants (excepting quantities of dusts targeted for recovery and quantities of sludge unsuitable for agricultural use).
