Used oils, the new CONOU sustainability report confirms the record in Europe: 100% collection and 98% regeneration
Italy is a leader in the collection and regeneration of used oils, a more than virtuous supply chain, with a circularity rate close to 100%, which has no comparison in Europe and which continues to grow, also on an economic level, where it marks a +12% from last year to today. Here’s what emerges from the new Sustainability Report 2023 of CONOU – the first national environmental body dedicated to the collection and recycling of a dangerous waste, used mineral oil – and to its collection and regeneration chain. Italy, therefore, al first place in Europe in the circular management of used mineral oilscoming from the industrial sector and workshops, a waste which, if disposed of and regenerated correctly, can be a resource, but which, otherwise, could become a dangerous source of pollution.
With the 2023 Sustainability Report, CONOU confirms the excellent results achieved and adapts to new European regulatory standards created by EFRAG, (European Financial Reporting Advisory Group), which will soon become mandatory for all companies.
“The path to transparency according to EU standards requires application, continuity and competence”, declared the President of CONOU Riccardo Piunti; “Sustainability Reports increasingly call upon broad and multifaceted professionals to manage, on an overall level, the technical, economic, environmental and organizational inputs that the various company functions make available. The consortium reality, not one company but a galaxy of companies, makes this task even more complex. For this reason we are always very satisfied with our sustainability report, certified by a high-level auditor, which photographs our excellence in a complete and truthful way, our business card in Europe”.
183 thousand tons of used mineral oils collected, 98% regeneration
The Report confirms the continuity and improvement of the consortium’s activity: 183 thousand tonnes collected, almost the entire harvestable quota; of these, 98% were started for regeneration thanks to the work of the 59 dealers who, in the collection and micro-collection activities (there were 6,641 deliveries with 678 vehicles) collected the oil from 103 thousand producers throughout the national territory. These are, in particular, industrial sites (12%) and workshops (88%). Of the tons collected, 50% comes from micro-harvesting, i.e. reduced quantities even in inaccessible locations far from major roads that CONOU encourages to promote the exhaustiveness of the collection by compensating the extra costs of the service. Most of the 183 thousand tons were sold to the three regeneration plants; only 2,800 tonnes went to waste-to-energy plants, while a minimal quantity (600 tonnes) was transferred to special incinerators for thermal destruction.
Over 58% of the total harvest comes from the North and sees Lombardy at the top of the list of producing regions (22%) followed by Veneto (12%); the regions of the Center contribute with a collection of 18% (only 7% comes from Lazio as does Campania which collects the same percentage). The South and the islands reach 23%.
Environmental impacts: – 127 thousand tonnes of CO2 equivalent
Regenerating used mineral oils has positive impacts on the environment. In 2023, thanks to the work of CONOU and its supply chain, it was avoiding the release of 127 thousand tonnes of CO2 equivalent into the atmosphere, gas responsible for the greenhouse effect, with a 57% reduction compared to the alternative system, which involves the generation of virgin lubricating bases, diesel and bituminous products. The data relating to the impact on the environment and health are clear: approx 7 million GJ of fossil fuels consumed lessan improvement in soil quality and less exploitation (90%), 60 million cubic meters of water saveda benefit in terms of incidence of diseases due to particulate emissions that is 92% lower.
