Katherina Reiche opens expert conference in Malta
Katherina Reiche, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Environment Ministry, today presented an innovative concept for seawater desalination with energy from the thermal use of waste. "Modern waste management concepts such as waste to water mean a chance to use something we do not want anymore to get something we desperately need. Closing cycles and supplying drinking water while protecting the climate at the same time are the ecological advantages of a sustainable concept", said Ms Reiche at the opening of the Waste to Energy conference in Malta.
The study Waste to Water, which was jointly commissioned by the Maltese and German environment ministries, will be presented at the conference. Munich-based BASE Technologies GmbH studied concepts and technological solutions for using energy from the thermal use of waste for seawater desalination and the suitability of various processes with regard to the specific conditions in Malta.
Sustainable waste management, i.e. closed cycle management including modern and efficient treatment technologies for waste, also helps to protect resources and the climate, for example by minimising methane and CO2 emissions or substituting fossil fuels. For this reason, the continuous development of waste management to a closed cycle management at the European and international level will be a priority for the coming years. "Implementing such a concept in Malta or countries or regions with similar framework conditions links environmental protection with economic advantages", Ms Reiche underlined. "Germany is in the vanguard of waste and recycling technologies. This opens up considerable economic opportunities, as the global demand for these technologies and innovative, smart concepts is enormous", Ms Reiche continued.