Defra to assess RDF export market

The government is to publish a call for evidence on the UKs rapidly growing export market for refuse derived fuel (RDF) this spring, according to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

In Defras Energy from Waste: A guide to the debate document published last week (February 26), the Department reiterated its intention to publish a call for evidence on the RDF export market in the near future.

The document highlights the increase in RDF exports in recent years as domestic capacity for dealing with RDF and solid recovered fuel (SRF) has not matched the expansion in material going through MBT, and the overcapacity of energy recovery infrastructure in some EU countries has created a competitive market for this material to be exported.

Provisional RDF data revealed by the Environment Agency in January showed that more than 1.5 million tonnes of the material was exported in 2013 significantly higher than the c. 900,000 tonnes exported the previous year (see letsrecycle.com story).

Medium term solution

While export of RDF has continued to rise over consecutive years, some believe that the export of waste derived fuels to energy from waste (EfW) facilities should only be seen as a medium term solution, and will give the UK time to increase its EfW capacity.

But, although the export of RDF is permissible and in keeping with the UKs principles of free trade, according to Defras EfW document, the Department is keen to ensure that if material is exported it delivers a better environmental outcome than if disposed domestically.

Furthermore, as the energy recovered from exported waste does not contribute to UK renewable energy targets, it seen as a lost resource to the UK (see letsrecycle.com story).

Defra adds in the document that production of RDF should be part of minimising the environmental impacts of waste management and that it is keen to support domestic RDF and SRF markets, where they can provide better environmental outcomes, to ensure that the UK benefits from the energy generated from UK waste.

In response to a parliamentary question from Conservative MP Caroline Spelman on February 11, waste and recycling minister Dan Rogerson MP said that the RDF call for evidence would be published in the spring, adding that the timings for any follow-up consultation and recommendations on the way forward will depend on the evidence submitted.

Mr Rogerson further commented that he was aware of concerns about the recent increase in exports of refuse-derived fuel and its effect on gate fees in the UK and that Defra would be seeking evidence the RDF market and the extent to which a market failure might exist.