The main theme of the congress was the circular economy, framed in one of the structural strategies of the European 2020 Programme: “A Europe which uses resources effectively”. This initiative, the purpose of which is to implement a new economy closing the life cycle of resources by reducing waste to a minimum, is extensive to the entire planet.

During the visit to the FCC Ámbito facilities, the officers of IACAN explained how the plant, designed with the best technologies available, operates, and the measures implanted to ensure maximum security and environmental protection, which surpass requirements set for this type of facility in European, state and regional regulations.

The IACAN facility, one of the most modern in its class, and entirely developed by FCC Ámbito, went into operation in 2012 after a 20-million-Euro investment for a starting authorised capacity of 7.5 million cubic meters. ·This centre of reference for industry in Cantabria, northern Castile and Leon and Eastern Asturias, receives non-hazardous industrial waste which under current technical-economic conditions cannot be revalued.

The congress was organised by the Environmental Engineering Group at the University of Cantabria, entity with which IACAN normally collaborates, and was held at the Escuela de Caminos (Higher School of Civil Engineering). The purpose of this meeting was to enable research, administration, business groups and other entities involved in waste management in Iberoamerica and society in general to exchange knowledge and experiences, strengthening interaction, cooperation and transfer in this area.