Sludge treatment techniques generally reduce volume or change its nature before disposal or reuse. By reducing the volume or weight of sludge for disposal you can cut respective transport costs and landfill charges, where relevant. 

Treatment techniques and terms include:

1. Sludge conditioning

This is a process to treat sludge solids with chemicals or heat as preparation for 'dewatering'.

2. Sludge stabilisation

Closer inspection showed where savings could be made

Rethinking energy intenstive operations pays off

How cost-efficiency and sustainability can get along in big chains ...

• Major cost-conscious supermarket chain sets sights on sustainability too
• Eco-efficient lighting, heating, ventillation, refrigeration, and more

Lidl supermarkets are known for their simplicity and emphasis on efficiency at every stage of the business, from supplier to customer. This philosophy enables the company to sell high-quality products from a limited range of exclusive own brand and well-known labels at the low prices.

This little piggy went to market ... and more 

• Hotel farmstay introduces circular economy thinking
• Crops, livestock, energy production, waste recycling ... everything is factored into this closed-loop business  

Na Farmě, a hotel and farmstay in the Central Bohemian region, is one of few in the Czech Republic that can call themselves totally energy self-sufficient. It serves as a great example of a business operation that works on a closed cycle encompassing all energy, animal products and waste.

Economising in an energy-intensive sector

Timing is everything!

• Optimising heating process, repaired leaks and energy-efficient motors cut 41 tonnes of CO2 annually
• Annual saving of € 5 000

In 2007, Manuplast carried out a complete energy audit, including production facilities, air compressors and the water-cooling system, which highlighted where consumption could be optimised in three key areas: the way production equipment is heated, leaks in the compressed air network, and machine upgrades.

Much better diagnosis...

• Combating food wastage saves 1.2 tonnes of waste
• Small recycling investment avoids 1.6 tonnes of packaging

In 2011, the Saint-Thomas de Villeneuve Hospital in Brittany was given a troubling diagnosis. It was producing way too much waste. An expert carried out three site inspections to understand why and how waste was being produced. Two hotspots were identified where waste-reduction steps could yield quick results: the kitchen and the laundry. 

Taking the pressure off the environment

Where energy meets aesthetic

• Keen to meet EU Ecolabel specifications, a hotel replaces its lighting with efficient bulbs, cuts 7 % its off power bill
• Finding efficient bulbs that matched the hotel's aesthetic needs poses a challenge at first

The 76-room Best Western Masqhotel (LaRochelle, France) was opened in 2006 and, since that time, has been implementing a range of energy saving measures.