Sludge incinerated in Monaco in 2030
“The purpose of a plant is to produce sludge, since it reflects the pollution we have retained before it goes to sea. Efficiency is also measured by the quantity produced”, reveals the director of Smeaux, Manuel Nardi.
And the curves are exponential. Where in 2018, UTER produced 5,000 tonnes of sludge per year, it now creates 8,000 tonnes. And soon 12,000 according to projections. But then what becomes of this sludge?
“Initially, the concession provided that the priority disposal route was incineration, in co-incineration with household waste”, recalls Manuel Nardi.
As the years go by and the current incineration plant runs out of steam, most of the sludge is now sent to Tarascon to end up in composting. “It’s an amazing industry., guarantees Manuel Nardi. The compost of excellent fertilizing qualities.”
Except that this involves daily truck rotations and, therefore, a salty carbon footprint for the Principality.
The expected commissioning for 2030 of the future Waste Sorting and Recovery Center (CTVD) in Monaco could change the situation by creating on the spot a thermal drying center (with pasteurization value) for sludge. There would then no longer be any need to outsource the entire production, which could be incinerated in Monaco.