Los Cantiles is the new organic matter treatment plant at Valdemingómez Technology Park, which will come into operation before the end of the year.
In October 2017, the collection of organic waste began in 17 pioneering areas of the city. This separate waste collection gradually spread to the other districts and by September 2020 separate organic waste collection was implemented throughout the city. Today, approximately 35% of the waste produced annually in the city of Madrid is organic, so it was essential to open a new recycling plant in order to handle a volume which has been slowly increasing and will continue to over the coming years.
So far, the organic waste transported daily to the Valdemingómez Technology Park undergoes biomethanisation and composting treatment to obtain biomethane (equivalent to natural gas, but renewable) and fertilizers at the Las Dehesas Biomethanisation Plant.
Thanks to this new plant, which will produce quality compost for soil, we can prevent the emission of greenhouse gases and bad odours. The plant is expected to have a composting capacity of over 100,000 tons of organic waste per year. As an added advantage, the quantity and quality of the compost produced will ensure it can be commercialised to stimulate the circular economy.
Lastly, the plant will signify two improvements in terms of energy use and efficiency: first, a solar photovoltaic installation that will allow the facilities to use their own energy. And secondly, the advance in technological innovation with R&D projects for enhancing the performance and energy efficiency of the production process and the recovery of by-products and rejects at the plant.
Why selectively separate organic waste?
The European Union has set itself the target of 2030 to recover 60% of materials through reuse and recycling (European Green Deal) and selectively separating out organic waste is one of the necessary steps to achieve this. The construction of Los Cantiles is another step towards overcoming these challenges.
And…
- We reduce the amount of waste sent to the Valdemingómez landfill, as it is converted into natural fertiliser and energy (biogas).
- We reduce greenhouse gases and make use of the methane that is released when organic waste is treated.
- We create new jobs.
For more information on waste management in Madrid, you can visit the Valdemingómez Technology Park website here.
If you want to keep up to date with all the activities of the new waste and clean-up campaign “With R for…” stay tuned to our social networks:
Instagram @conRde_madrid
Twitter @AciertaOrganica