Material Separation

Tackling mixed waste a priority Improved waste-sorting channels cut back on mixed waste destined for incineration Better-sorted waste leads to lower waste costs, resale options, more staff participation Improvement measures generate savings of around € 6 000 per year Nestlé Purina, a food-processing...

Distillation is a process where a mixture of different chemicals is separated using different chemical boiling temperatures. Purification of products is the main application of distillation processes. Phase separation (e.g. distillation) is responsible for up to 50 % of the total energy demand in...

Packaging is a major part of the food and drinks sector. As awareness grows of the need to minimise the environmental impact of packaging throughout the product life-cycle, innovative companies are looking to ecodesign principles for improvements. One area of improvement is to reduce packaging...

Sustainable packaging may include packaging made from recycled (e.g. paper, plastic) or bio-based materials, reusable packaging, take-back schemes, etc. In order to save resources in line with circular economy and environmental principles, sustainable packaging issues should be integrated into...

Cutting waste in a systematic way will help SMEs to reduce cost and save material. A special waste-prevention plan will be very helpful in introducing such a systematic approach. It helps to understand where resources are used, where waste is generated, and to find and prioritise waste-reducing and...

Packaging protects and preserves products and ensures that they arrive in perfect condition. But producing packaging also consumes resources and disposing of it results in a large amount of waste, especially in the growing online trade. This is an economic and an environmental burden. Packaging and...

Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) are typically used by households quickly after purchase or at least under one year. This includes packaged foods, cleaning supplies, light bulbs, but also cosmetics and personal hygiene items. FMCG packaging is a major challenge. Because of the short lifespan and...

The core goal of a waste-management system is to think of ways to improve a company's handling of non-product outputs (waste with zero or negative market value), and implement measures to minimise waste generation through more efficient use of resources or re-use of materials and to separate waste...

Full-scale waste scheme German company reuses steel by-products to reduce waste 100 % of steel scrap is reused Waste that cannot be reused in the factory is sold to other businesses The German company Georgsmarienhütte GmbH operates in the automotive industry. It produces crankshafts, piston rods...