MSW FACILITIES OF COMBINED BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT: ANAEROBIC DIGESTION PLUS COMPOSTING

EU Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC) requires the gradual reduction of biodegradable municipal waste going to landfills. In this context, three mechanical-biological treatments (MBT) plants were designed and installed progressively in Barcelona Metropolitan Area (Catalonia, NE Spain) during 2000s. These facilities were intended to
solve the problem of municipal wastes generated in this region (Table 1), especially to stabilise OM (organic matter) from MSW (municipal solid waste). Near to 600.000 tn/year of OF (organic fraction) is estimated to be produced in Barcelona Metropolitan Area but currently, a rough fourth part of it is separately collected (SC) to be biologically
treated. However, it is worth noting that for both cases collection of plastic, glass and, paper and cardboard is provided.