Ecology & Safety, Volume 17, 2023

Abstract: Reducing the carbon footprint is a strategic objective established for environmental protection the European Union. It is proposed that Europe be climate neutral until 2050. This objective can also be achieved in Romania, if the large energy-consuming industries, that produce inorganic binders (cement, lime, plaster), implement the best available techniques. These techniques must ensure climate neutrality throughout the value chain of construction materials, such as: (1) reducing direct and indirect CO2 emissions; (2) increasing the use of alternative material and energy resources; (3) developing products with a reduced carbon footprint; (4) contributing to society's adaptation and combating climate change; (5) carbon capture, usage and storage. Partial substitution of the natural fuels with the alternative fuel and energy resources from sorted industrial and municipal waste can be promising techniques for the reducing of the carbon footprint. Thus, in the combustion process the following wastes can be used: industrial waste (oil tankers, used tires, non-recyclable packaging), non-recyclable municipal waste (wood, paper, plastic, textile, biomass, etc.), agricultural wastes, etc. This paper presents a case study regarding the reduction of the carbon dioxide footprint by using alternative resources such as tires waste and in the cement manufacturing at Tașca Cement Plant from Neamț country (Romania). It has been proven that the use of these resources leads to sustainable benefits related to the partial conservation of non-renewable energy and material resources, as well as to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. The measurements CO2 content at the chimney of the clinker showed a decrease between 0.4 % to 3 %. This proves that the introduction of slag at the cold area of the kiln has a positive effect on the reduction of CO2 emissions and implicitly over the environment.