To handle the large increase in hospital waste production, the Intercommunal environmental management company, Ipalle, has applied for a permit to incinerate 9,950 tonnes of waste annually.
Thumaide’s energy recovery unit (ERU) in Beloeil is the only site in Wallonia authorised to process B2 hospital waste, including that generated during the Covid-19 crisis. B2 hospital waste refers to waste which can cut, pierce and/or be infectious.
Since 2020, B2-type hospital waste produced by hospitals has significantly increased, rising from 6,945 tonnes to 8,579 tonnes. Despite Ipalle having expected a decline in infectious waste post-crisis, the high production has continued. In 2023, a further 8,526 tons of B2-type hospital wastes needed to find productive management channels.
Thumaide’s ERU converts this amount of non-recyclable waste into electricity, but an administrative regulation is now necessary.
Due to the sustained quantity, the administration requested regulative actions. Ipalle proposed a request to authorise the processing of 9,950 tonnes of B2-type hospital waste annually.
