The Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) Treatment Plant at the Environmental Complex of Tenerife is a key infrastructure for the sustainable management of the waste generated in small construction works, both public and private. Located in the municipality of Arico, this facility has been designed to meet the highest environmental and technical standards, focusing on the recovery of valuable materials, such as concrete, bricks, metals, plastics, and wood.
Its main purpose is to minimise the environmental impact associated with CDW, avoiding its accumulation in landfills and promoting responsible practices such as reuse and recycling. This approach is framed within a circular economy model, in which waste is converted into useful resources, contributing to sustainability and the development of more environmentally-friendly construction on the island.
The process in the plant is organised into three main stages. First, the waste arrives at a reception area where it is manually classified to separate materials unsuitable for the process, which will then be separated and recovered, such as plastics, wood, or glass. Inert materials, such as concrete, bricks, or stones, are selected to move on to the next step.
In the second stage, the selected materials are crushed with mobile machinery, reducing them to particles between 0 and 200 millimetres. This material is used as landfill cover soil. Finally, the treated materials are temporarily stored in designated areas before being sent to their final use.
The plant has the capacity to process up to 50,000 tonnes of waste annually, being organised into specific areas for each stage of the process. These include a reception and classification zone, where the waste is unloaded and reviewed to separate valuable materials such as glass, wood, plastics, metals, and paper/cardboard, stored in specific containers. Hazardous waste, meanwhile, is placed in a covered area designed to prevent environmental risks.
The treatment of the selected waste is carried out using portable crushing equipment, which reduces the size of inert materials to facilitate their reuse. The processed materials are temporarily stored in a final collection area, from where they are sent for tasks such as landfill cell covering and sealing.
The plant is equipped with a series of mechanical means and mobile equipment designed to optimise the treatment of Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW). These include front loaders, essential for the movement and distribution of waste in unloading and classification areas. Additionally, trucks and dumpers are used to transport materials from reception to storage or treatment areas.
The size reduction of inert waste, such as concrete and bricks, is carried out using portable crushing equipment capable of grinding these materials for subsequent reuse. These tools work together to ensure efficiency in each stage of the process, from reception to the disposal of recovered waste.
The site is also equipped with facilities to manage operational and environmental aspects. It includes offices, a dining room, and changing rooms for staff, as well as a septic tank for sewage treatment.
Sustainability
Regarding sustainability, it features a water collection basin for process or dirty water and runoff, directing them to specific treatment systems. Likewise, the dust suppression irrigation system reduces the dispersion of particles during operations, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
These characteristics, along with the design of the pavement in different sections—which includes impermeable surfaces with bentonite to prevent seepage, gravel pavements ensuring a stable and resistant base, and natural cleared areas to facilitate access and mobility—ensure efficient and safe operation throughout the plant’s processes.
This comprehensive approach not only optimises internal processes but also minimises environmental impact, ensuring proper waste management and resource reuse.Together, these measures reinforce the plant’s commitment to sustainability, innovation in CDW management, and strict compliance with environmental regulations.
