4. Dedicated channels and collective centers

In this systemic approach, we have so far considered each waste in isolation. This calls for two comments.

• Over the last few decades, a number of collective structures have been set up to process waste of very different origins and materials. These include :

  • landfill sites and their ancillary stabilization-solidification equipment;

  • deep storage in salt mines;

  • incineration and physico-chemical treatment platforms. These centers, which handle large tonnages of waste, are mainly used for detoxification and storage;

  • cement plants; due to their specific technical features, these highly energy-intensive plants recover a significant proportion of certain combustible waste materials, in a mixture....