Mixed Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) treatment

In mixed municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment plants, household waste, commercial residues, and certain assimilable industrial wastes are processed.

This heterogeneous stream can contain plastics, paper, glass, textiles, and, above all, metals of various types. Among them are ferrous pieces from cans, tools, and small hardware, as well as aluminum, copper, brass, and light alloys. Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury are also present, often found in batteries, small WEEE, and common everyday items.

The presence of metals in MSW can generate multiple issues: damaging shredders and conveyors, slowing down sorting processes, contaminating fractions destined for recovery, and compromising the quality of refuse-derived fuel (RDF/SRF). Moreover, if not properly managed, heavy metals can disperse into the environment or leach into wastewater, creating risks for both health and ecosystems.