Glossary and abbreviations

Method for decontaminating polluted soil by heating it to between 400°C and 600°C so that the pollutants are volatilized; the particulate matter is extracted from the resultant gas in baghouse filters. Thermal desorption almost entirely decontaminates soil: it is appropriate for heavy hydrocarbons (heavy fuel, tars and PAH) and light hydrocarbons (solvents: benzene, toluene, and xylene). Treated soil can be used as backfill. The process does not generate odors or waste.

Waste collected from municipalities or industrial sites transits via a transfer station, where it is sorted and forwarded for treatment or disposal as appropriate. Recyclable waste is sent to recycling or treatment plants; non-recyclable waste is sent to waste-to-energy plants or landfills. For Veolia Environmental Services, transfer stations are flow control centers that represent value-added business.

Physical, thermal, chemical and biological processes, including sorting, which change the characteristics of waste in a way that reduces its volume or hazardous nature, making it easier to handle and/or foster recycling (Directive 1999/31/CE of the European Council of April 26, 1999):

• Biological treatment: controlled transformation of putrescible waste into a slowly changing organic residue by microorganisms. Biological processes are also used in soil remediation but not in waste treatment.
• Thermal treatment: heat treatment of waste, including incineration.
• Physical-chemical treatment: includes emulsion breaking, neutralization, chromate removal, cyanide removal, dewatering, resin regeneration and chlorine removal.

A platform used for weighing vehicles.