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Environmental Benefits of Waste to Energy
July 15, 2024The RDF Industry Group have published a report entitled “The Role of Waste Derived Fuel in the EU’s Energy and Resources Transition” highlighting the environmental benefits of Waste to Energy (WtE)
The RDF Industry Group have published a report entitled “The Role of Waste Derived Fuel in the EU’s Energy and Resources Transition” highlighting the environmental benefits of Waste to Energy (WtE) technologies and how, as Europe strives to meet its ambitious climate goals, the waste management sector is emerging as a crucial player. The report proposes that by adopting smart, coordinated policies, we can maximise the benefits of these technologies while addressing our most pressing environmental challenges.
Environmental benefits of Waste to Energy (WtE) technologies
Waste Derived Fuel (WDF) is created from non-recyclable waste that has been processed to serve as fuel in Waste to Energy (WtE) plants. Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) and Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) are terms used when referring to processed waste for use for energy generation in cement kilns or in Waste to Energy (WtE) facilities. Waste to Energy (WtE) facilities go beyond simple incineration, harnessing energy from the burning process to generate electricity and district heating.
Environmental Benefits:
- Landfill Diversion: WDF helps reduce reliance on landfills, the most environmentally damaging waste management method due to methane emissions.
- Energy Production: EfW plants produce electricity and heat, displacing fossil fuel use.
- Circular Economy: Material recovery from incinerator ash supports construction, while decarbonization efforts encourage increased recycling.
- Future Potential: With carbon capture technologies, EfW could even support negative emissions.
reduce reliance on landfills
Indaver Ireland Waste-to-Energy Facility
Indaver Ireland Waste-to-Energy Facility
Energy Security and Economic Advantages:
- Using domestically produced WDF enhances Europe’s energy independence.
- The WDF industry generates significantly more jobs than landfill operations.
- A robust WDF trade market encourages competition and maintains specialist supply chains.
produce electricity and heat, displacing fossil fuel use
Policy Recommendations:
1. Strengthen Landfill Policies:
- Implement and enforce landfill bans for recyclable and combustible waste.
- Ensure landfill taxes exceed carbon taxes for EfW to promote the waste hierarchy.
2. Optimise Taxation:
- Take a whole-EU approach to EfW capacity utilization.
- Streamline carbon taxation when EfW enters the EU ETS in 2028.
- Apply carbon taxes only to fossil carbon content in WDF
3.Ensure Policy Coherence:
- Develop waste policies with consideration for their impact on related sectors.
- Design policies to avoid inadvertently incentivising landfill over EfW or recycling.
- Prioritise resource efficiency alongside carbon reduction goals.
Waste-to-Energy Virtual Tour
Take a look behind the scenes at a Waste-to-Energy facility. Learn how typical household waste powers the community with clean energy. The environment is protected and the process actually helps combat climate change!
Sweden's Trash-to-Treasure Revolution: How Waste Became a Valuable Resource for Power and Profit
find out how Sweden turns trash into gold.
As we move towards a greener future, the waste management sector, particularly WDF and EfW, will play a pivotal role. By adopting smart, coordinated policies, we can maximise the benefits of these technologies while addressing our most pressing environmental challenges.
Prepared by Bethany Ledingham and Gabriella Franchi of Eunomia Research & Consulting, as Secretariat to The RDF Industry Group. The Role of Waste Derived Fuel in the EU’s Energy and Resources Transition, is available to download here, with an executive summary available here.
For more information, visit www.rdfindustrygroup.org.uk
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