Greener Green - Developing sustainability practices in primary schools

Colour 

Kind of waste 

Residue 

Where does it go? 

paper envelope 

In the fraction of paper and cardboard, we only deposit the paper and cardboard neatly folded. Spirals, clips, staples must be avoided... Don't confuse it with handkerchiefs and paper napkins. 

Plastic bottle 

In the fraction of light packaging, we just have to throw away all those containers and wrappers that bear the Green Dot sign. 

CD/DVD 

DUMP / GREEN POINT: Facility that allows selective collection of municipal waste for which there is no home collection system or specific containers on the street. 

Box of cookies 

Attention: Separate the plastic and metal elements from the cardboard box and deposit them in the fraction Light packaging. 

In the fraction of paper and cardboard, we only deposit the paper and cardboard neatly folded. Spirals, clips, staples must be avoided... Don't confuse it with handkerchiefs and paper napkins. 

Bag of potatoes 

In the fraction of light packaging, we just have to throw away all those containers and wrappers that bear the Green Dot sign. 

Muffin wrapper 

To the organic fraction, we only throw away food scraps, spoiled food and small plant elements. To avoid odors, we must throw away the organic fraction on street bins in the evening. 

pallets 

To the remainder fraction, we only throw away all that waste that cannot be recycled or used in any other way. 

RESIDUE 

SOLUTION 

A used tissue 

ORGANIC FRACTION 

Metal box for cookies or chocolates 

LIGHTWEIGHT PACKAGING 

Chewing gum 

REMAINING / REJECTED FRACTION 

Pens and markers 

GARBAGE / GREEN DOT 

Residue 

process 

What it turns into 

Paper and Cardboard 

In the triage plant the selection is made according to the type of material and it is packed for transport to the recycling plants where a process of defibration and cleaning of inks, pigments and glues is carried out. New fibers are added. The pulp is separated from the water and pressed. 

Sheet packages, cardboard packaging, magazines and newspapers, wrapping paper, cardboard boxes. 

Light packaging 

To the triage plant, the containers are separated by materials: types of plastics, aluminum, iron, wood and bricks. Each material will be packed and prepared to be transported to the corresponding recycling plant where the plastic is separated according to types and densities. It is washed and melted to make raw material in the form of granules that are introduced into the production cycle. 

Containers, buckets, street furniture, traffic signs. 

Junkyard - Green points 

A specialized company separates recyclable materials (plastics, glass and metals) from dangerous or non-recoverable elements that are decontaminated. 

The companies treat the different types of plastics and metals to reintroduce them to the production cycle. 

Polycarbonate is used in car parts, public lighting, mobile phone and computer casings, CDs and DVDs. 

Organic Fraction 

To the Anaerobic digestion plant the organic fraction (FORM) undergoes biological decomposition in the absence of oxygen, anaerobically. Also called methanization. It takes place in closed equipment, the digesters. Methane and a digested material is obtained, which is submitted to composting. 

In the composting plant, the organic fraction (FORM) receives a biological treatment in the presence of oxygen, just as bacteria do in a natural decomposition process. The organic fraction must not contain inappropriate substances because they prevent or hinder the biological process. 

The composting process yields a very suitable fertilizer, the compost, which is used as fertilizer for the soil in the gardens and parks of our municipalities. 

Biogas is obtained from methanization, which is used to generate electricity and fuel. It is used both to run the composting plant and exported to the public network. 

rejection 

Treatment plant. In this plant, once the recyclable elements have been extracted, everything that is not usable has a final disposal treatment either in an incinerator or in a controlled deposit. 

In the incinerator, a controlled combustion takes place where all the waste is removed. The gasses are filtered before being released into the atmosphere. The slag is taken to the controlled tank. And the heat of this combustion moves turbines that generate electricity. 

The bales with the rest are stacked until they cover the surface of the controlled tank and it is covered with soil. It is reclaimed for public use or green space.