One of the reasons limiting the spread of biotechnology industries is the production of difficult-todispose-of wastes. Typical is ethyl alcohol production from molasses fermentation. Thus, the distilleries produce very large amounts of vinasse, which is difficult to dispose of. Its utilization as fodder can only partially solve the problem. A possible solution could be its utilization for the production of ‘‘compost’’, via fermentation processes, using urban solid wastes (USW) so solving, at the same time, two important environmental problems. If these proposals can contribute to give eco-compatible answers to the problems related to traditional technology, more decisive solutions could arise from major modifications of the actual technology. These modifications represent more long-term proposals because they should not only modify a deeply ingrained and well-established technology, but also need important investments. Concerning the problems of energy and water saving, a modern approach based on ‘‘Water Pinch’’ and ‘‘Pinch Analysis’’, applied both to the traditional technology and the new ones, can give an important contribution to the optimisation of fuel and water consumption and to a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions.