sludge treatment through its conversion into construction materials. Recently, in
Korea, a study was conducted for evaluating CO 2 fixation through biomineralization
of sludge underneath landfill cover soil [96]. It was proven that sludge could
potentially serve as an effective medium for biomineralization and can naturally
and efficiently mitigate the CO 2 emitted from landfills.
The challenges for the use of sludge by-products in France and Europe are to
build the transition strategies of their territories through the establishment of a
circular economy. The recycling of by-products from two sectors: water treatment
(sand, biomass, and leachate) and building site waste brick aggregates, concrete and
mortar to use as a substitute of the other materials, may limit pressure on raw
materials.
6 Sewage Sludge: An Ambiguous Status
Based on legal texts, sewage sludge has a waste status according to the Article
R211–28, within the meaning of the legislative provisions of the Environment Code
23 [89]. Sludge land application is specified in the scope of Articles L. 214-1 to
L. 214-6 of the Public Health Code with regard to hygiene rules. These regulations
define the technical provisions for land application (R211-38). If the treatment plant
polluting flow is greater than 120 kg day
À1 in terms of chemical oxygen demand,
special adjustments are made (R211-39); the spreading period and the applied
quantities are adapted according to the soil type (R211-40) and the climatic conditions (R211-41). The spreading technical rules are also legislated (R211-43). The
sludge must be subject to a physical, biological, chemical, or thermal treatment, in
order to reduce their fermentable capacity and the health risks associated with their
use. The authority designated in the code for public security (CSP) article L. 1313-5
shall issue the marketing authorization and the permit for the introduction of a
fertilizing material, or a fertilizer adjuvant. The authorization is issued following
an evaluation which must reveal the absence of any harmful effect on human and
animal health and the environment and its effectiveness with regard to plants and
plant products or soils (Fig. 2) [17, 90, 97].
The sludge is also considered as a product according to the rural code (CR law no
79-595 of the 13/07/79 relating to the organization of the control of the fertilizing
materials and the supports of culture, articles L. 255-1 to 255 -11 CR). According to
the French Decree of 21/12/98, Article L 1323-1, the CSP entrusts ANSES (The
French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety) with
their evaluation and their approval as fertilizing materials and culture media; these
products’ safety through regular testing is required and specified by legislation [43].
In addition, Article L255-7 modified by the ordinance no 2015-615 of June
4, 2015 – art.1 defines fertilizers as “products intended to ensure or improve plant
nutrition or the soil physical, chemical and biological properties.” These products
include amendments intended to modify or improve the properties of soils or
materials which, when applied to the soil or around plants, stimulate natural nutrition
Environmental, Economic, and Ethical Assessment of the Treated Wastewater and. . .
69
Korea, a study was conducted for evaluating CO 2 fixation through biomineralization
of sludge underneath landfill cover soil [96]. It was proven that sludge could
potentially serve as an effective medium for biomineralization and can naturally
and efficiently mitigate the CO 2 emitted from landfills.
The challenges for the use of sludge by-products in France and Europe are to
build the transition strategies of their territories through the establishment of a
circular economy. The recycling of by-products from two sectors: water treatment
(sand, biomass, and leachate) and building site waste brick aggregates, concrete and
mortar to use as a substitute of the other materials, may limit pressure on raw
materials.
6 Sewage Sludge: An Ambiguous Status
Based on legal texts, sewage sludge has a waste status according to the Article
R211–28, within the meaning of the legislative provisions of the Environment Code
23 [89]. Sludge land application is specified in the scope of Articles L. 214-1 to
L. 214-6 of the Public Health Code with regard to hygiene rules. These regulations
define the technical provisions for land application (R211-38). If the treatment plant
polluting flow is greater than 120 kg day
À1 in terms of chemical oxygen demand,
special adjustments are made (R211-39); the spreading period and the applied
quantities are adapted according to the soil type (R211-40) and the climatic conditions (R211-41). The spreading technical rules are also legislated (R211-43). The
sludge must be subject to a physical, biological, chemical, or thermal treatment, in
order to reduce their fermentable capacity and the health risks associated with their
use. The authority designated in the code for public security (CSP) article L. 1313-5
shall issue the marketing authorization and the permit for the introduction of a
fertilizing material, or a fertilizer adjuvant. The authorization is issued following
an evaluation which must reveal the absence of any harmful effect on human and
animal health and the environment and its effectiveness with regard to plants and
plant products or soils (Fig. 2) [17, 90, 97].
The sludge is also considered as a product according to the rural code (CR law no
79-595 of the 13/07/79 relating to the organization of the control of the fertilizing
materials and the supports of culture, articles L. 255-1 to 255 -11 CR). According to
the French Decree of 21/12/98, Article L 1323-1, the CSP entrusts ANSES (The
French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety) with
their evaluation and their approval as fertilizing materials and culture media; these
products’ safety through regular testing is required and specified by legislation [43].
In addition, Article L255-7 modified by the ordinance no 2015-615 of June
4, 2015 – art.1 defines fertilizers as “products intended to ensure or improve plant
nutrition or the soil physical, chemical and biological properties.” These products
include amendments intended to modify or improve the properties of soils or
materials which, when applied to the soil or around plants, stimulate natural nutrition
Environmental, Economic, and Ethical Assessment of the Treated Wastewater and. . .
69