From 2033, the incineration of sewage sludge will be mandatory in Austria. The Ministry of Climate Protection published a corresponding decision on the waste incineration regulation on Monday. All sewage treatment plants serving more than 20,000 residents are affected.
The affected plants therefore generate 85 percent of the sewage sludge volume in Austria.
That’s what the ministry says
According to a press release from the ministry, dangerous pollutants such as hormones, drug residues, heavy metals, microplastics and nanomaterials are concentrated in this sewage sludge. By burning the sewage sludge, the environmental toxins concentrated in it are destroyed.
“The goal is: no more microplastics on our soil. Because microplastics and environmental toxins can have far-reaching consequences for our health and nature. We must therefore prevent it from entering the environment in an uncontrolled manner,” said Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens).
Two to three additional incinerators are required in Austria for the new sewage sludge treatment. However, the transition period until January 1, 2033 offers “sufficient time to meet the need for adjustments associated with future sewage sludge processing,” the ministry said.
Source: Krone
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