Westenergy is an important link in circular economy

Many of the materials that are used today in different products can be recycled. For instance, biowaste can be used to produce soil and biogas, paper can be used to produce newspapers and toilet paper, and cardboard, metal and glas can be recycled into entirely new products. Recycling means that different materials are sorted and are used over and over again. Particularly metal is a good material in that it can be recycled almost endlessly. Recycling is developing rapidly.

Circular economy is, however, much more than recycling. It is a comprehensive operation model of which aim is that no waste is formed but by-products and residues of one production process become raw material for an entirely different production process. It is not just materials, but the value of the materials that circulate in a sustainable manner. Circular economy means, thus, that materials and their value circulate efficiently and also cost-efficiently, creating novel production processes – and at the same time, stress on the environment is reduced.

Westenergy plays a key role within circular economy as that part of the waste that cannot be recycled, can be safely and efficiently reformed into electricity and heating. Ashes of the plant are not residue either but they can be used as base material in earthwork and in the production of different concrete elements. Additionally, metals in the ash are separated and recycled.

In an ideal situation, in addition to materials, energy, water and even carbon dioxide are captured and circulate in a closed loop. Westenergy aims at promoting the development of circular economy and participates actively in developing new and innovative ideas that help reach more efficient circular economy. You can read more about our circular economy projects here.