Leading international industry organisations have issued a joint statement emphasising the crucial role the global cement sector can play in tackling the escalating problem of non-recyclable and non-reusable waste.
The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), the European Composites Industry Association (EuCIA), the International Solid Waste Association — Africa, the Mission Possible Partnership, and The Global Waste-to-Energy Research and Technology Council (WtERT®) have jointly called for stronger government and institutional backing to unlock the full potential of cement industry co-processing as a safe, effective, and sustainable global waste management solution.
Co-processing enables both energy recovery and material recycling by using waste to replace fossil fuels in the heating of cement kilns.
Any residual ash from this process is simultaneously incorporated into the final cement product, creating a true zero-waste approach.
The integrated nature of co-processing maximises the environmental value of waste treatment while reducing demand for new landfill or waste disposal infrastructure.
Unlike traditional waste management methods, co-processing targets materials that cannot be recycled or are too contaminated for conventional reuse, complementing recycling efforts rather than competing with them.
The practice effectively bridges the gap between landfilling and recycling.
Already recognised across Europe, India, Latin America, and North America, co-processing operates under stringent environmental and technical guidelines to ensure high safety standards, tight emissions control, and full transparency.
Thomas Guillot, Chief Executive of the GCCA, said: “Cement industry co-processing is a safe, effective and circular waste management solution – a win-win for the environment and local communities.
“However, despite its proven benefits, wider adoption of co-processing depends on effective regulatory frameworks and supportive public policy.
“Some cement kilns already substitute more than 90 per cent of fuels with waste through co-processing, whereas many parts of the world have no established practises at all.
“That is why we are renewing our efforts along with other organisations and calling for recognition and support of our industry’s positive role and potential.”
The joint statement, available online, calls on international institutions and all levels of government to recognise co-processing in waste policy frameworks as a legitimate and sustainable strategy that delivers both energy recovery and material recycling.
It further urges authorities to incentivise waste collection, sorting, and pre-treatment at the municipal level, ensure efficient environmental permitting for cement plants to access suitable waste, and count ash recycled through co-processing toward national recycling targets.
The statement also advocates fiscal incentives to acknowledge the environmental benefits of waste used in cement kilns, as well as public-private partnerships to manage risk, foster long-term projects, and encourage knowledge-sharing across regions.
Globally, waste generation is rising at an alarming rate.
Human and industrial activity now produce an estimated 11.2 billion tonnes of waste every year, while the decomposition of organic solid waste contributes around 5 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, if current practices persist, uncontrolled municipal solid waste could double to 1.6 billion tonnes by 2050, worsening climate pressures, marine plastic pollution, and health risks for communities worldwide.
Thomas Guillot added: “Waste generation and mismanagement are placing growing pressure on communities, ecosystems, and the global climate.
“When waste is dumped in streets, openly burned, or leaks into rivers and oceans, it causes severe environmental damage and poses serious health risks.
“Even in regions with waste management systems, large volumes of waste continue to end up in landfills, where biological and chemical degradation contaminates soil and releases methane, a greenhouse gas significantly more potent than carbon dioxide.”
Industry experts agree that co-processing offers a practical, scalable, and cost-effective pathway for managing the world’s most challenging waste streams, highlighting the cement industry’s important role in advancing a circular and carbon-efficient economy.
