Recovery rather than landfill
The European waste hierarchy sets out a clear order of priority: prevention, preparation for reuse and recycling take precedence. For any remaining, non-recyclable waste, energy recovery is prioritized over disposal by landfill. The EEW Group’s thermal waste-to-energy plants are recognised as recovery facilities because they generate electricity, district heating and process steam from the energy contained in the waste.
“The circular economy must be approached from a European perspective. Where suitable recovery capacities are available, we should utilise them across national borders rather than sending waste to landfill,” says Andreas Dous, Head of Sales at the EEW Group and Managing Director of EEW Italia. “Our plants have been contributing to this for many years. We intend to continue along this path.”
EEW strengthens its presence in Italy
EEW operates 21 plants across Europe. These include 17 waste-to-energy plants and four sewage sludge mono-incineration plants at 17 sites in Germany, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. The company processes more than five million tonnes of residual waste and sewage sludge annually. In addition to thermal waste recovery, the company’s range of services also includes specialised sewage sludge treatment. This creates the conditions necessary to recover phosphorus – a raw material essential for agriculture – from phosphorus-containing sewage sludge ash. Phosphorus is classified as a critical raw material in the EU. Its recovery is therefore a key component of the European raw materials strategy.
With the establishment of EEW Energy from Waste Italia S.r.l. and an office in Milan, the group has further strengthened its presence in the Italian market. Ecomondo offers an opportunity to showcase EEW’s expertise to an international audience of industry professionals and to deepen the dialogue on European waste management.
EEW at Ecomondo 2026: 3–6 November, Rimini, Hall B3, Stand 505.
About EEW Energy from Waste
EEW Energy from Waste combines the circular economy with the energy sector. Across 17 European sites, the company processes around five million tonnes of residual waste and sewage sludge annually. In doing so, EEW generates electricity, district heating and process steam, and recovers metals from incineration residues. More than 1,500 employees ensure reliable waste disposal and energy supply. Furthermore, EEW is working on solutions for CO₂ capture, energy storage and phosphorus recovery.