ABSTRACT
In the ceramics district we currently have a power of treatment from the recycling of inert wastes of about 300,000m3/yr. We have also tested the use of recycled materials for the construction of road foundations, with excellent results, in the full respect of the environment. Thus, we have the chance to solve the problem of the disposal of industrial inert wastes, as well as that of hazardous ceramic sludges (testing the recycled material, after inertisation). Keywords: Ceramics District, Third Firing, Ceramics Inerts, Wastes, Scrap Material
The term "ceramic district of Sassuolo" refers to a territory situated at the beginning of the foothills within and near the Municipality of Sassuolo. This territory straddles the Provinces of Modena and Reggio Emilia, which are separated by the Secchia River, a tributary of the Po River. The total area is approximately 300 km 2 , with 150,000 inhabitants, including the Municipalities of Sassuolo, Fiorano Modenese, Maranello, and Formigine in the Province of Modena; and the Municipalities of Scandiano, Castellarano, Casalgrande, and Rubiera in the Province of Reggio Emilia. Up to right after the Second World War, the economy of this area was based predominantly on agricultural and zootechnical activities. Starting in the 1950s, it was transformed first of all into an area of cottage industry and then became increasingly industrialised. By the 1980s, the current level of over 200 ceramics manufacturers had been reached, in addition to over 100 "third firing" ceramic decoration companies, that is, the third firing of the ceramic wall tiles for adding hand-painted or silk-screened decoration.
