Comprised of Cory, Encyclis, Enfinium, Veolia, and Viridor, RRUK aims to drive policies that “enable the sector to fully realise its potential in shaping a sustainable future”.
The group has also launched its manifesto, a document outlining the group’s plans for a sustainable, circular future.
The manifesto outlines the crucial steps that policymakers and industry stakeholders must take in parallel to maximise the positive impact of the EfW sector. By setting out recommendations, RRUK seeks to “inspire action and facilitate the adoption of policies to decarbonise key industries”.
Landfill
An item on the agenda for the RRUK is creating a more sustainable, integrated waste system and they have outlined the practical measures they want the industry and policymakers to take in order to help achieve this. The steps are:
1. Bring EfW into the UK emissions trading scheme no earlier than 2028. Crucially, to deliver on the government’s objectives, this expansion should:
a. Coincide with a ban on biodegradable municipal waste going to landfill – currently scheduled for 2028.
b. Be supported by measures to prevent landfill from becoming cheaper than EfW, ensuring that the cost of landfill rises with inflation and the cost of emissions trading.
c. Include measures to reduce our reliance on landfill and foreign waste exports; d. Be swiftly followed by bringing carbon removals into the UK ETS from 2030.
2. Timely delivery of upstream interventions to reduce the amount of plastic reaching EfW plants including:
a. Introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility and consistent kerbside collections at the earliest opportunity.
b. An escalator in the Plastic Packaging Tax timetable to drive the value of recycling and reprocessing plastic.
Decarbonisation
Recognising the potential of EfW to decarbonise key industries and communities, RRUK emphasises the need for supportive policies. By investing in decarbonisation technologies and supporting the growth of heat networks, policymakers can use the power of EfW to facilitate a shift towards a zero-carbon future, the group said.
Owen Michaelson, chair of Resource Recovery UK and chief executive of Encyclis said: “It is vital that we increase recognition of the critical role energy from waste plays in recovering valuable resources from waste that is not recycled.
“2023 is an important year for our sector, with key policy decisions to be taken that will shape the future of waste infrastructure and wider decarbonisation pathways. Our industry stands ready to work with others to ensure the opportunity is not wasted.”
‘Essential’
The alliance is affiliated with the Environmental Services Association, which represents the broader resource and waste management industry.
Jacob Hayler, executive director of the ESA, remarked: “Energy from waste performs an essential function and is critical to our everyday lives. That’s why we’re pleased to support this important new initiative dedicated to championing EfW’s pivotal role within the wider waste management sector.”
Other measures the alliance has outlined include plans to invest billions of pounds in carbon capture and storage, delivering local heat networks in collaboration with local authorities and housing providers, and providing low carbon heat to energy-intensive industries as a clean alternative to fossil fuels.
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