Viridor concerned by RDF export loss

Two of the UKs largest waste companies have rejected the idea of a defined standard for refuse-derived fuel (RDF) but differ on the role of exports in their responses to a government consultation.

The responses are part of a call for evidence on the RDF market assessing if there is a need for action to ensure the waste hierarchy is fully applied by producers of the material (see letsrecycle.com story).

The Defra consultation followed concern in the waste industry that RDF exports were open to abuse, with some in the sector suggesting that the introduction of a standard for RDF would be useful.

But, neither Viridor nor SITA UK support the call for a defined RDF production standard, arguing that this is dictated by the customer quality expectation.

In its response, SITA UK was praiseworthy in its assessment of RDF exports, arguing the UK has achieved far higher landfill diversion rates because of the exports than if it had relied solely on domestic treatment.

The firm, which operates a number of RDF treatment facilities on the continent, commented that the export of waste-derived fuels does not constrain projects in the UK as so few facilities have been built it does not impact on domestic supply.

Intervention

However, Viridor was more vocal in its call for intervention from Defra to support energy from waste treatment infrastructure in the UK, which it reasons is at a significant commercial disadvantage compared to other parts of Europe.

The company explained that while incinerators in northern Europe can usually get waste from wherever they want, illogical planning restrictions meant there were often limits on UK incinerators on the areas from which waste can be sourced. The company is currently investing 1.5 billion into UK infrastructure.

Viridor stated: The unrestrained export of RDF, combined with a restrictive policy and regulatory framework, may restrict the development, and associated economic benefits, of vital UK social infrastructure necessary to balance landfill diversion with the requirement to support UK investment and resilience.

The firm added: In 2013/14 the UKs top ten exporters of RDF alone shipped over 2m tonnes of British resources overseas. The cost to the UK was up to 192m in transportation, shipping and processing fees, with the loss of resource capable of powering over 312,000 British homes or circa 1.3% of the UK population.

Uneven

Meanwhile, both companies agreed more needed to be done to tackle illegal operations involving RDF treatment in the UK, arguing it created an uneven market and unfair competitive advantage for energy-from-waste operators.

SITA UK technical development director, Stuart Hayward-Higham, said: From a practical point of view moving forward, we feel that Defra and the Environment Agency have essential roles to play in helping to remove the incentive and ability of criminals to operate illegally in this field of activity, because illegal activity threatens the market and the investment still required to complete the move away from landfill.

Among other recommendations in our submission, we have expressed our support for an escrow system to provide surety for RDF production and exports, which we believe will help to combat illegal stockpiling, dumping and fires.