Reuse of mswi ba in the ceramic tiles production: An experimental industrial activity in latium region (central Italy)

The need of increasing the use of alternative materials, in construction and in production, is a current issue worldwide. At the same time, with regard to the treatment of waste, the management of bottom ash coming from Municipal Solid Waste Incineration, is an important issue all over the world, especially in Italy. In fact, the need for right management of ashes increases, which, in Italy, are almost always disposed of in landfills. This paper presents the environmental aspects of an industrial experiment, in Central Italy. In an industry, according with Government Institution, it was made an experimental industrial activity to produce ceramic tiles, using bottom ashes in the mixture with feldspatic sands and clays. In fact, comparison between the ashes composition and the traditional mixture one shows interesting affinity, from mineralogical and rheological point of view. This aspect is very interesting because it allows the reduction of the natural aggregates amount, used in the tiles production. In the industrial experiment the Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Bottom Ashes (MSWI BA), after storage, have been treated and then mixed with the other components of the mixture. After the mixing, ashes followed the traditional industrial production cycle. The first step of the experimental industrial activity consists in the sampling of the different materials that concern the production cycle. Subsequently, in agreement with the Regional Government Institution, the samples have been analyzed according to the tests present in the Protocol drawn up by CRITEVAT. In this regard, eco-toxicological and leaching tests on the different materials were carried out. Tests made on the final products, ceramics tiles produced adding MSWI BA to the traditional mixture, gave excellent results.