The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) and other industry organizations issued a joint statement highlighting the substantial and positive contribution the cement industry can make to addressing the urgent global challenge of non-recyclable and non-reusable waste.
GCCA, along with the European Composites Industry Association (EuCIA), International Solid Waste Association – Africa, Mission Possible Partnership, and The Global Waste-to-Energy Research and Technology Council (WtERT), are calling for stronger policy support to unlock the full potential of cement industry co-processing as a safe, effective and sustainable global waste management solution.
“Cement industry co-processing is a safe, effective and circular waste management solution – a win-win for the environment and local communities. However, despite its proven benefits, wider adoption of co-processing depends on effective regulatory frameworks and supportive public policy,” Thomas Guillot, chief executive of the GCCA said.
“Some cement kilns already substitute more than 90% of fuels with waste through co-processing, whereas many parts of the world have no established practices at all. That is why we are renewing our efforts along with other organizations and calling for recognition and support of our industry’s positive role and potential,” he added.
The joint statement calls on international institutions and national, regional, and municipal governments to:
- Recognize co-processing in waste policy frameworks as a sustainable waste management solution that delivers both energy recovery and material recycling.
- Incentivize waste collection, sorting, and pre-treatment at municipal level to ensure consistent, high-quality waste streams, encouraging recycling of the recyclable material and the co-processing of non-recyclable material.
- Enable efficient environmental permitting to allow cement plants access to suitable waste.
- Count the materials’ content (ash) effectively recycled through co-processing towards national recycling targets.
- Provide fiscal incentives acknowledging the environmental benefits of co-processing waste in a cement kiln to create a level playing field with other waste management and energy options.
- Foster public-private partnerships to share risk and support long-term project viability.
- Encourage knowledge transfer and policy alignment across regions.
