Overflow Solution: Why RDF Exports Matter for the UK
The export of Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) often raises questions, such as “Should we be exporting our waste?” However, in context, the volumes exported are relatively small compared to the waste incinerated or landfilled within the UK. With 16 million tonnes incinerated in Energy-from-Waste (EfW) facilities and 7 million tonnes sent to landfill annually, the combined total exceeds 23 million tonnes. In contrast, less than 2 million tonnes of RDF and Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) were exported in the twelve months up to September 2024. From a ‘carbon leakage’ perspective, these exports are inconsequential and pose no existential threat to the UK’s EfW or recycling sectors.
Instead, RDF exports play a crucial role as a flexibility mechanism. They provide a legal and viable outlet for non-recyclable residual waste that cannot be processed by the UK’s existing waste management infrastructure.
Should the UK have enough EfW capacity to handle its waste domestically? Ideally, yes. However, waste production is not a perfectly consistent quantity. It varies year by year, household by household. Imagine if you had a significant loft clearout, but were prohibited from hiring a skip or visiting a Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC). What if you were required to fit everything into your standard wheelie bin? Clearly, such restrictions would be impractical. Just as individual households need flexibility for managing waste, so does the nation as a whole.
This need for flexibility extends beyond seasonal or sporadic surpluses. EfW plants require periodic maintenance and are occasionally subject to unexpected shutdowns. While some downtime is routine, significant infrastructure failures can result in longer outages. Consequently, the actual operational capacity of the UK’s EfW facilities is variable, further highlighting the importance of alternative waste management options.
RDF exports address these challenges by providing a sustainable and efficient outlet for excess non-recyclable waste. They offer councils, businesses and the waste management sector an adaptable solution, preventing reliance on landfilling when UK facilities cannot accommodate demand.
Moreover, exporting RDF to European EfW plants leverages their often higher operational efficiency compared to UK facilities. Many of these plants generate both heat and power, maximising energy recovery while effectively managing the imported waste. This makes RDF exports a practical and environmentally responsible way to address the UK’s capacity gap.
In summary, RDF exports serve as a vital mechanism for managing surplus waste, ensuring it is processed sustainably and legally. By preventing illegal disposal or environmental harm, they support a resilient circular economy. RDF exports provide a necessary safety valve for the UK’s waste management system, enabling flexibility and maintaining efficiency in the face of variable waste volumes and infrastructure constraints.