“"The activity of 2025 and its results demonstrate dynamic and forward-thinking management of the territory's household waste, thanks in particular to technical innovations that allow for maximum valorization today. However, our priority remains reducing waste production, and for this, local authorities need stricter regulations compelling manufacturers to produce less and better, as well as collective awareness to change our consumption patterns, because today the objectives are far from being met. We are all concerned, not just the authorities in charge of waste, who are at the end of the chain and have very limited room to maneuver in reducing this waste production. Indeed, we are facing, for example, ultra-fast fashion for textiles, PFAS, commonly known as 'forever chemicals,' which we must treat, and bottles of nitrous oxide, which endanger our population as well as those working with this waste... Local authorities are unduly penalized, particularly through the increase in the general tax on polluting activities, which strongly impacts our economic balance. In this context, we must be even more united to act collectively and continue our efforts and anticipate future challenges and constraints."
VALTOM: Waste valorization and energy production up in 2025
The VALTOM trade union committee presented its 2025 activity reports, highlighting a 92% waste valorization rate and increased renewable energy production.
By Romain Bouvier
••3 min read
AI
Generic image of an industrial waste treatment facility, with machinery and conveyor belts.
The VALTOM trade union committee met on November 3, 2026, in Clermont-Ferrand to present the 2025 activity reports, emphasizing a 92% waste valorization rate and increased renewable energy production.
The VALTOM trade union committee convened on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at the Vernéa valorization center in Clermont-Ferrand. The 2025 activity reports for VALTOM and the Vernéa center were presented, highlighting a high waste valorization rate and increasing renewable energy production.
Regarding VALTOM's 2025 activity report, a slight decrease in collected waste tonnage was noted (-0.2% compared to 2024), amounting to 530 kg/inhabitant/year. The household waste valorization rate remained stable at 92%, placing VALTOM among the best-performing authorities in France. Energy production saw a 20% increase compared to 2024, reaching 192,914 MWh in 2025, due to the ramp-up of the Clauvaé Urban Heating Network (RCU) of Clermont-Auvergne-Métropole. Biodegradable waste diverted from residual household waste increased by 37% to 18,250 tons in 2025, following actions within the Territorial Organic Waste Management Scheme (STGDO).
VALTOM's economic balance is impacted by the increase in the General Tax on Polluting Activities (TGAP). The 2025 management report for the Vernéa center includes the injection of biogas into the GrDF network since December 15, 2024, an increase in incineration capacity in December 2025 to 170,000 tons/year, and a study on additional heat supply to the RCU Clauvaé.
The technical performance of the Vernéa center for 2025 shows the processing of over 216,756 tons of waste (92% from the territory), the production of 147,921 MWh of energy (+17% compared to 2024), including 61,718 MWh of thermal energy transferred to RCU Clauvaé. The valorization rate of treated waste is 84% (-2% compared to 2024), and biogas valorization increased by 86%.
The next trade union committee meeting will be held on December 18, 2026.
Based on information from the official source: VALTOM (03/11/2026)
