A new code of practice for the Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) market has been published by a group of industry representatives.
The RDF Industry Group, a consortium of waste management contractors and operators from the UK and across Europe, aims to increase the confidence of customers and regulators in processes and products, with a framework to share “good practice” from across the industry.
With 3.6 million tonnes of RDF exported from the UK in 2016, a notable proportion of the UK’s waste now gets treated in Energy from Waste (EfW) facilities abroad, involving a complex supply chain. The code of practice sets out a framework that shares good practice across the industry in an effort to increase the confidence of customers and regulators in processes and products.
Launched at the House of Commons, the Refuse Derived Fuel Code of Practice for the UK helps to clarify the rules around RDF in each UK country, by bringing together the different regulatory positions of the four environmental regulators. It also outlines good practice recommendations which aim to combat risks such as waste abandonment, nuisance, fires and illegal export.
The launch event was held in conjunction with the All-Party Parliamentary Sustainable Resource Group. Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, who opened the event, commented: “It is encouraging to see the RDF Industry Group taking the lead in determining and sharing good practice to help raise standards across the supply chain in this evolving and maturing market.”
The code of practice was written by Eunomia as secretariat of the group. Organisations from the supply chain were consulted, along with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), the Environment Agency (EA) and the Food Standards Agency. Eunomia says that Defra and the EA have welcomed the development of the code of practice, which they said would enable the sector to share best practice and achieve consistency.
The new Refuse Derived Fuel Code of Practice for the UK is available to download.
We are a leading supplier of feedstock to energy from waste plants, helping to divert commercial, industrial, construction and demolition waste from landfill and converting it into useable fuel sources. If your business is looking to recover the value of your waste and reduce disposal costs, we can work with you to send it to a UK recovery facility, or export from your premises to overseas. Get in touch with a member of our team on 0845 129 7177 to discuss how we can help your business or find out more on our website.
