The waste industry would not support the development of a defined standard that operators would have to meet when producing refuse derived fuel (RDF) according to sector trade bodies.
The comments were raised in response to the governments two-month call for evidence on the RDF export market, which closed on Friday (May 12) by the waste management industry trade body the Environmental Services Association (ESA) and the Renewable Energy Association (REA).
Defra launched the consultation in March (see letsrecycle.com story) to assess whether there is a need to take action to ensure that the waste hierarch is fully applied by producers of the material.
Its publication followed a notable spike in the amount of RDF from England being sent abroad for processing (see letsrecycle.com story) as well as concerns that the practice is open to abuse from some operators.
According to the government, several sources had suggested that the introduction of a standard for RDF would be a useful way forward.
ESA
Commenting following the conclusion of the call for evidence, Jacob Hayler, economist at the ESA, said that production of RDF is an important means to divert waste from landfill, with RDF exports providing a valuable interim option in the absence of domestic infrastructure.
However, he added that while clearer rules for processing the material could help to stamp out illegal operators, compositional standards would not be welcomed and should be set by end users.
‘The industry would not support the introduction of more prescriptive compositional standards for RDF, the specification for which should rightly be set by the end user.’
Jacob Hayler, economist at the ESA
He said: The Environment Agency should be working much harder to stamp out illegality and to enforce permit conditions from poor performers. Clearer rules for RDF processing and an extension of the scope of existing financial guarantees could help both operators and the regulator to create a thriving English RDF market.
The industry would not support the introduction of more prescriptive compositional standards for RDF, the specification for which should rightly be set by the end user. A clearer definition of RDF which sets minimum processing levels, combined with tighter regulatory controls over RDF movements to prevent dumping of material with no end destination, would however do much to raise standards in the sector and prevent the worst practices.
REA
Meanwhile, the REA, whose gasification and pyrolysis group and Organics Recycling Group helped compile a response to the consultation, also showed little support for the adoption of a compositional standard for RDF.
The organisation, said: Our members believe that if existing standards and national boundary practices are properly enforced there is no need for a defined UK RDF standard. The REA does not support the need for a UK RDF standard which may isolate resources as technology develops but seeks a more proportionate approach which include the introduction of a standard for production methodology such as the CEN EN15359.
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