Waste from distribution of electricity

Areti manages the distribution of electricity for Rome and Formello and primarily produces waste derived from the maintenance or replacement of infrastructure. No non-process waste is generally produced. Special waste, produced during activity performed by contractors, is considered under the responsibility of the same and its collection and management is also their responsibility²⁵⁰. The waste flow generated by described activities are illustrated in Chart 60.

Chart no. 60 – Waste streams in Areti

Table no. 75 – Waste produced by the Areti Company (2021-2023)

MANAGEMENT AND MINIMISATION OF WASTE PRODUCED

The circular economy concept drives the shared goal pursued by all Group companies, who together contribute to the effort to reduce waste.
At Acea SpA²⁵¹, separated waste collection in 2023, was almost double the volumes reached in 2022, both for paper and plastic, thanks to the office restructuring, with the recovery of the materials used and less use being made of plastic folders and containers. In total, approximately 780 tonnes of paper and 560 tonnes of plastic were sent for separated waste collection.

For example, the water companies aim to reduce the volume of sludge produced by implementing new drying lines, latest-genera- tion centrifuges and other specific systems. These initiatives have a major impact in terms of the circular economy: reducing the water content of the sludge optimises opportunities to use it in material and/or energy processes and reduces disposal costs. The econom- ic, environmental and social costs of transporting sludge are also lessened.

Acea Ato 2, in 2023, continued with the “Sludge Management Plan” a series of structural and strategic actions with the dual objective of reducing volumes of treatment sludge produced and exploiting the solid components both in terms of materials and energy. The range of different actions, rationalising the entire treatment segment and transforming large treatment plants into hubs for centralised sludge processing. In this context, a number of small treatment plants were decommissioned in the year as part of the centralisation measures. During the year, Acea Ato 2 achieved a reduction of approximately 7.5% in the volumes of sludge produced compared to 2022, due to the new thermal dryer coming into op- eration at the Roma Sud plant.

At the Gori sites, to reduce the overall quantity of waste, a num- ber of interventions were undertaken to strengthen the treatment plants, thus reducing the quantity of sludge requiring landfill dis- posal.

At AdF, around 90% of the sludge produced in 2023 was sent for recovery through an authorised disposal company²⁵².
Waste from the majority of Group Companies is sent to external sites²⁵³.

Finally, for all Companies, waste is managed by companies outside the Group, with the exception of Acea Ato 2, Acea Ato 5 and AdF, which, as mentioned, handover their waste to Aquaser, in the role of broker with identification of final-destination sites²⁵⁴. The reliability of third parties is guaranteed by the mandatory authorisation required by the specific regulations to perform certain activities and by periodic checks on documentation.

The data and information on waste for the main Companies is managed with dedicated management software²⁵⁵. Quantitative data on waste disposed of derives from direct measurements taken using weighing systems, which are periodically calibrated and certified. For the Companies of the Environment business, in almost all cases there is a difference between the outgoing weights and incoming weights, due to the scales used for approximation in the systems adopted, in any case documented using the forms applicable by law. These Companies, including Acea Produzione, also conduct systematic checks on the legislative compliance of suppliers with regard to environmental issues.

In 2023, there were no significant releases of pollutants into the environment, such as mineral oils, fuels or chemical products.

250 This management occurs according to procedure (PRO00.11QAS “Waste Management”) and the quantities produced are handed over for recovery or disposed of by authorised third parties.
251 This refers to the offices of Cedet, the headquarters in Piazzale Ostiense n.2 and the car park of the latter.
252 At Acea Ato 2, 89% of sludge was sent for recovery, with this at 78% for Gori and 34% for Acea Ato 5.
253 The Orvieto Aambiente plants and the Decoand Ecologica Sangro sites, which are plant hubs with internal waste streams and destinations, are exceptions.
254 Liquid waste from the plants of Acea Ato 2 are assigned to Aquaser solely for logistical services, being transported and discharged at plants authorised pursuant to art. 110 of Italian Legislative Decree 152/2006 managed by Acea Ato 2 itself.
255 With the exception of Gesesa and Areti, all companies have dedicated management software.