«90% of our waste returns to the production chain of other elements»

Alejandro Gea, as general director of the Inrialsa group, has had to lead the process that has led to obtaining the ‘0 Waste’ certificate granted by Aenor. Inrialsa thus becomes, within the industrial sector to which it belongs, the only Spanish company to obtain it, as well as the first Rioja company (in any sector) to achieve the certificate.

– Obtaining a certification is not easy, when do you start working on achieving the ‘0 Waste’ Certificate?

– The process was developed at the beginning of the year 23. At that time, Aenor granted us the Sustainable N Brand certificate. This brand guarantees and certifies the quality of the product in its manufacturing process and reinforces it with the Sustainable qualification that implies social and environmental commitment. The circularity of our waste has been implemented in our daily activity for many years.

This is when we consider taking a step further and commit to Aenor to develop and obtain the 0 Waste certificate.

– What makes you work on it?

– For more than 20 years, we have been committed to the official certification of our quality. Aenor provides us with demands and guarantees in its audits and that makes us follow processes that avoid improvisations and incidents. Or at least, they reduce them in large quantities. Our sector is very dynamic and has little standardization in the final product, therefore we have to have very well defined processes.

– The process is not usually easy, but Inrialsa has always had a special sensitivity towards the conservation of the planet. Has it been difficult for you to adapt to the demands of the new certification?

– Our environmental commitment is like most of society, total. We manufacture very efficient windows that avoid wasting energy, providing savings and comfort. Our windows have an expected lifespan of more than 50 years, with minimal maintenance. The process has been simple for us in the organizational part. Aenor realized when he gave us the ‘sustainable’ seal that we had all our waste organized and that was when the initiative arose. However, regarding the documentary part it has been very dense because the 0 Residue seal is very demanding.

– Explain to me what this circular economy process consists of that has now just been ‘recognized’ with the Zero Waste certification.

– The 0 Waste process basically consists of separating and cataloging more than 90% of the waste generated in manufacturing. Through collaborating and approved companies, waste is reintroduced into the production chain of other products at the service of society. We are circulating waste that does not disappear, it is transformed. We give them value. A PVC window is 100% recyclable.

– In addition to a change in approach in productive activity, a certification like the one AENOR has granted you also implies investment, in what way is it ‘profitable’? And I don’t just mean in monetary terms.

– In our case there is no process change in the productive activity, it only involves organizing and documenting. It requires us to surround ourselves with qualified people accustomed to these procedures. More than making profits directly, it means not wasting time or processes. We also transfer to our clients and suppliers a form of management that gives them peace of mind, commitment and interest in having a sustainable organizational model internally.

– And in economic terms, if things are done well, is it possible that this investment can be recovered through the conversion of what was previously waste into reusable materials?

– Waste must be treated and transformed by specialized and approved companies. Almost 100% of our waste is reintroduced into the production chain, but it does not have to return to us. That investment, rather than recovering it, will mean better optimization of space, time and management.

– Furthermore, if less waste is generated, it will cost less to eliminate it, right?

– Waste is generated the same. There is a minimum and our goals and continuous improvements are to reduce this waste. The true importance is that the waste generated continues to form part of the production chain for other sectors. Avoiding its destruction or spills. They are valued.