Review Generation, characterization and reuse of solid wastes from a biodiesel production plant Fernando Jorge Santos Oliveira a,⇑ , Daniele dos Santos Santana b , Simone Soraya Brito Costa b , Lenise Diniz Oliveira a , Vitor Silva Liduino c , Eliana Flávia Camporese Servulo c a Petróleo Brasileiro S.A., Av. Almirante Barroso, 81, 23° andar, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20031-070, Brazil b Petrobras Biocombustível, Rodovia BA 522 Km11, s/n, Jabequara das Flores, Candeias, BA 43813-300, Brazil c Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Athos da Silveira Ramos, 149, Bloco E, Sl E203, Ilha do Fundão, RJ CEP 21941-909, Brazil article info Article history: Received 13 August 2015 Revised 3 November 2016 Accepted 24 November 2016 Available online xxxx Keywords: Biodiesel Solid waste generation Waste characterization Hazardous waste reuse abstract The aim of this study was to identify and characterize industrial solid wastes generated by a biodiesel production plant in Brazil, as well as to present strategies for the management of these materials. This plant produces every year around 100,000 tons of biodiesel from vegetable oils and animal fats. The methodology of the study included technical visits, interviews with the operational and environmental management staff as well as analysis of documents, reports and computerized data systems. An approach to reduce the generation of hazardous waste was investigated. It was take into account the amount of raw material that was processed, reduction of landfill disposal, and the maximization of the their recycling and reuse. The study also identified the sources of waste generation and accordingly prepared an evalu- ation matrix to determine the types of waste with the higher potential for minimization. The most impor- tant residue of the process was the filter material impregnated with oil and biodiesel, requiring, therefore, measures for its minimization. The use of these residues in the production of ceramic artefacts (light bricks) was considered to be very promising, since no significant effect on the physico-chemical and mechanical properties of the artefacts produced was observed. Phytotoxicity test using seeds of Lactuva sativa (lettuce), Brassica juncea (mustard), Abelmoschus esculentus (okra), Chrysanthemum leucan- themum (daisy), Dendranthema grandiflorum (chrysanthemum) and Allium porrum (leek) were carried out. The results clearly show incorporation of the waste material into bricks did not influence relative germi- nation and relative root elongation in comparison to control tests. Ó 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction Nowadays, environmental concern has reached different sectors of society and, notably the industry. By fostering identification of competitive advantages, profitable opportunities along with posi- tive evaluation of stakeholders, many industries adapt their activ- ities to the sustainability concept (Sheldon and Yoxon, 2006). Thus, an adequate system for natural resources, solid wastes, effluents and atmospheric emissions management is a prerequisite to remaining competitive in short- and long-term (Restall and Conrad, 2015; Carter and White, 2012; Theodore and Theodore, 2009). Besides, an effective system allows the planning of activities aiming to eliminate or minimize environmental adverse impacts through preventative actions, mitigation measures or remediation (Glasson et al., 2013). Both municipal and industrial solid wastes are usually related to environmental contamination since they may contain toxic components, harmful to human health and environment (Santos et al., 2015; Maciel and Jucá, 2011; Giusti, 2009; Mbuligwe and Kaseva, 2006). Thus, in an effective environmental management plan takes into account the amount and types of wastes generated, as well as strategies for their minimization, especially when the main goal is the manufacturing of environmentally-friendly end products (Marchettini et al., 2007). Freeman and Lounsbury (1990) defined waste minimization as the adoption of techniques to reduce or eliminate the volume of waste and its negative impact on environment. In many cases, due to the costs associated with the reduction in the volume and toxicity of wastes (Leemann, 1988), coupled to the concept of sustainable business, develop- ment of strategies for effective waste management is required, par- ticularly for new industrial processes, such as the large-scale production of biodiesel (Felizardo et al., 2006). This research aimed to identify and characterize the industrial solid wastes generated http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2016.11.035 0956-053X/Ó 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. ⇑ Corresponding author. E-mail address: f.oliveira@petrobras.com.br (F.J.S. Oliveira). Waste Management xxx (2016) xxx–xxx Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Waste Management journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/wasman Please cite this article in press as: Oliveira, F.J.S., et al. Generation, characterization and reuse of solid wastes from a biodiesel production plant. Waste Management (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2016.11.035