Glossary
Waste Management
In a world where sustainability is key to the planet’s future, understanding concepts related to waste management and environmental protection is essential.
This glossary, created by the waste recovery company Greene, is designed to help you better understand the most commonly used terms in the fields of the circular economy, recycling, and environmentally responsible practices. Our goal is to provide you with a useful tool to expand your knowledge and contribute to a more sustainable world.
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United Nations 2030 Agenda
A global initiative consisting of 17 goals and 169 targets. It is a call to action to address the social, economic, and environmental challenges facing the world between 2016 and 2030. The Environment section of this agenda includes specific SDGs, some of which focus on recycling.
Pyrolytic oil
A mixture of organic compounds (paraffins, olefins, and aromatics) obtained through thermochemical processes. It can be used as a feedstock for the synthesis of new circular plastics, and its composition can comply with refining and petrochemical industry standards.
Environmental Issues
Environmental sustainability criteria that are gaining importance. They are one of the fundamental pillars of a strategic sustainability plan.
Social Issues
Social sustainability criteria that are gaining importance. They are one of the fundamental pillars of a strategic sustainability plan.
Biomass
Biomass is organic material of plant or animal origin that can be used as a source of renewable energy. It is obtained from agricultural, forestry, and urban waste, as well as from crops specifically grown for biofuel production.
Biomethane
Gas that can be produced from waste in a way that is both environmentally and economically sustainable.
Char
A material composed almost entirely of carbon, obtained from a pyrolysis reactor. It can be used directly in the steel, cement, and ceramics industries, and its use in agriculture—specifically for soil conditioning and improvement—is currently being studied. It can help reduce the carbon footprint by serving as a substitute for coke.
Caprolactam
A circular raw material in gaseous form—which is solid at room temperature—that is slated to be introduced to the market in the future and is obtained through waste recovery.
Calcium carbonate (CALXAND)
A composite eco-filler made of calcium carbonate, recovered through the calcination of sludge from gas purification and catalytic processes. It is a circular raw material obtained through waste recovery.
Circularity
Significant potential in resource-intensive sectors. Driving the transition through research and innovation in new circular business models and technologies aims to keep resources in the production cycle for longer.
Code of Ethics
A document that defines the commitments undertaken in the performance of corporate responsibilities, with the aim of fostering a corporate culture based on regulatory compliance. It sets forth the ethical principles and values that should guide the activities of the company and its team.
Compliance
A management system based on regulatory compliance. It involves conducting business in an ethical manner, adhering to the highest ethical standards, where integrity, honesty, and professionalism are the guiding principles. There is also criminal compliance.
Landfill pollution
A type of pollution that we are trying to reduce. Burying waste in landfills generates emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas.
Control of polluting emissions
One of the advantages of recovery projects or technologies.
Decarbonization
It contributes to environmental protection and can create opportunities for economic growth and sustainable development. Companies that demonstrate a genuine commitment to it can build trust, attract sustainable investments, and set themselves apart. Certain resource recovery technologies contribute to this through new low-carbon processes.
Dual materiality
An analytical framework that identifies the issues relevant to an organization’s value creation, as well as the extent to which its operations may impact the economy, the environment, and people, including impacts on human rights.
Circular Economy
A model that seeks to transform waste into new raw materials and products, reintroducing them into the production cycle to reduce dependence on virgin materials, lower pollution, and minimize the amount of waste that ends up in landfills or incinerators. The EU’s action plans set out measures to move toward this goal. It is essential for achieving the transition to a sustainable economy.
Disposal (of waste)
A waste management option considered less desirable under the European Waste Directive, which is prioritized after other options such as prevention, reuse, recycling, and recovery. It differs from recovery, which takes precedence over it.
ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance)
Criteria related to environmental sustainability, social issues, and good governance are becoming increasingly important. A specific strategic sustainability plan aims to improve performance in these areas. The management of impacts, risks, and opportunities, as well as the ESG strategy, is underpinned by corporate governance.
Ethics
A standard that requires acting with honesty, transparency, and responsibility in all operations and relationships. It is one of the fundamental pillars of a strategic sustainability plan. A Code of Ethics defines ethical principles and values.
Rejection rate
The portion of non-hazardous solid waste that cannot be recovered using current technology or that has no useful life, thereby preventing it from ending up in landfills or incinerators. It cannot be recovered through mechanical treatment.
Governance
Criteria related to good governance, one of the aspects that are gaining importance in sustainability. It is one of the 35 relevant aspects identified in a materiality study. Good governance and ethics underpin the management of impacts, risks, and opportunities, as well as the ESG strategy. Ethical governance exists.
Carbon footprint
An indicator of environmental impact that can be reduced by substituting certain materials, such as using char instead of coke. Reducing this impact may be a goal of the reintroduction of circular raw materials. Certain recovery technologies can achieve a significant reduction compared to traditional techniques.
Renewable hydrogen
An energy source whose efficient and sustainable production—for example, from biomass or thermochemical processes—and safe storage are the focus of research aimed at the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy model.
R&D&I (Research, Development, and Innovation)
A cornerstone of a company, it involves a constant commitment to exploring, experimenting with, and discovering new ideas, technologies, or solutions to improve products or processes. It drives progress and evolution within the company.
Circular Raw Materials
New raw materials obtained through waste recovery (particularly the reject fraction), which are reintroduced into the market or production cycle to put the concept of the circular economy into practice and reduce dependence on fossil-based materials.
Fossil raw materials
Resources for which Europe is significantly dependent on energy and raw materials, and for which substitution through the treatment and processing of waste is essential.
Environment
A natural environment whose protection and improvement are key priorities. Environmental sustainability criteria are becoming increasingly important. A strategic sustainability plan includes environmental aspects as a fundamental pillar.
SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)
Pyrolysis
A thermochemical process involving the chemical decomposition of organic matter and all types of materials—except metals and glass—caused by heating to high temperatures in the absence of oxygen.
Environmental Protection
A commitment that is part of a company’s ethical standards and a section included in a Code of Ethics.
Recycled
A waste management option prioritized by the European Directive, following prevention and preparation for reuse. It involves the recovery of materials—often through mechanical processes—for their reintroduction into the cycle.
Reduction in Waste Disposal Costs
A benefit associated with efficient waste management through recycling.
Zero Waste
A goal that aims to minimize the amount of waste sent to landfills, thereby contributing to sustainability.
Non-hazardous solid waste
Waste generated by cities, industries, and society in general, which must be managed. It can be municipal or industrial solid waste. European and national regulations aim to ensure that the amount of waste sent to incinerators or landfills is kept to a minimum. The treatment and processing of waste are essential for reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Industrial Solid Waste (ISW)
Waste from industrial companies.
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
Waste generated in homes or on the street, which is placed in containers for sorting and disposal.
Social and Environmental Responsibility
A firm commitment by the company and its employees to act in an ethical, transparent, and sustainable manner, taking into account the impact of business activities on society and the environment. This involves adopting corporate social responsibility policies and environmental management practices.
Sustainability
Criteria (environmental, social, and good governance) that are gaining importance. This is the cornerstone of a company’s actions. It is essential for achieving the transition to a sustainable economy. It serves as the main strategic pillar for generating a positive impact on projects and the planet. There is a Strategic Sustainability Plan. It involves contributing to a better and cleaner world.
Patented technology
In-house technology that is legally protected and enables the material recovery of waste.
Transparency
An ethical standard that involves acting transparently in all operations and relationships. It is one of the fundamental pillars of a strategic sustainability plan.
Decent Work and Economic Growth
One of the Sustainable Development Goals aims to ensure decent working conditions, free from discrimination, in an inclusive and sustainable manner, to promote economic growth and social progress.
Material Valuation
A process that transforms non-hazardous solid waste—particularly the reject fraction—into new circular raw materials that are reintroduced into the production cycle.
Recovery (of waste)
A process that involves transforming waste into resources or useful materials, which European and national regulations prioritize over disposal.
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