Did you know that beneath our feet lies a marvel of engineering? We are standing before the Centre de tri et d’incinération des déchets Isséane. It is more than just a waste disposal site. It is a testament to innovation.
The Centre de tri et d’incinération des déchets Isséane represents a pioneering approach to waste management. Its mission is to treat and valorize household waste. It serves half of the Ile-de-France region. This accounts for 10% of the national population.
Isséane began with a commitment to high environmental quality. It integrates two complementary waste treatment streams. These streams operate on a single site. One is a sorting center for selective collections. The other is an incineration center for residual household waste.
At the heart of its catchment area, Isséane processes waste from over a million residents. These residents come from 25 neighboring municipalities. The selective collection sorting center separates materials. It handles 22,000 tons of selective collections. These are then sent to recycling streams. The incineration center processes 460,000 tons of residual household waste.
By using waste as fuel, Isséane produces energy. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The center is partly buried to minimize its visual impact. Two-thirds of it is underground. Its architecture is vegetated and compact. It was one of Europe’s most important and original environmental projects.
Isséane began operations in 2007. It is one of France’s most recent and highest-capacity incinerators. Syctom is proud to have built it. This plant is managed by Dalkia Wastenergy. It claims to be a shining star in the incineration industry.
Isséane is not just another incineration plant. It also includes a waste sorting center. The incinerator can handle 510,000 tons per year. The waste sorting center only handles 23,000 tons per year.
The plant fits into the urban architecture. Its appearance does not clash with its surroundings. A large part of the plant is underground. This makes it look different from a standard incinerator.
Dry processing of waste gas prevents visible smoke plumes. The chimneys were built to be less noticeable. Many people do not realize it is a domestic waste incinerator.
Isséane does not produce visible smoke. However, it still emits pollutants into the atmosphere. These emissions are regulated. Abiding by the rules does not mean there is no pollution.
Isséane produces energy. It generates electricity and heat. This can cover 80,000 to 100,000 houses. Some materials are recovered from residual waste after combustion. These include ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
The plant also produces solid residual waste. In 2017, it produced 80,000 tons of slag. It also sent 12,000 tons of ash to landfills.
In 2017, Syctom processed 2,313,363 tons of waste. About 15% was recycled. Isséane cost 540 million euros to set up.
Isséane sorts and recovers our garbage. The combustion of waste produces steam. The steam powers the CPCU heat network. It also generates electricity sold to EDF.
Isséane guarantees no unpleasant odors. The waste reception pit is depressurized by air suction. All of Isséane’s roofs are vegetated. The building’s facades are equipped with planters and mature trees.
Though there’s still much to be done, especially when it comes to transporting materials for further processing, Isséane stands as a beacon of progress. It heats homes. It powers businesses. It is a vital component in Paris’s commitment to a sustainable future. As we move on, remember that even in waste, there is value and potential.