About Us

What is the RDF Industry Group

The RDF Industry Group was established in January 2015 by environmental consultancy Eunomia (acting as Group secretariat), when a number of UK waste management companies wanted to come together to explore the opportunities surrounding the movement of Refuse Derived Fuels across national borders. The Group has since grown, and in doing so, widened its scope to cover Waste Derived Fuels (WDF), including Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) and Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF), across all European Markets. 

The RDF Industry Group is now a pan-European trade association with 39 member companies across the European WDF (RDF and SRF) supply chain: from WDF production companies who produce fuel from residual waste; to those who ship, transport and test WDF; to energy-from-waste (EfW) facility operators. Together, the Group collectively:

1. Explores and address issues surrounding the movement of WDF across national borders within Europe and related topics;
2. Develops evidence-based information on the legal, environmental and economic issues related to the export of WDF; and
3. Communicates its work to third parties including governments, the European Commission and other key stakeholders in the form of reports, presentations or other communications material.

The Group welcomes enquiries from prospective members, so if you’d like to find out more about joining us then please see our Become a Member page. To get in touch, please do so via the secretariat’s details below. You can find out more about our current members on the Our Members page.

Welcome from the Chair 

Andy Jones, Managing Director of Totus Environmental, is the acting RDF Industry Group Chair. 

“As Chair of the RDF Industry Group, I work collectively with our members to represent the industry in providing a respected, informed, and expert voice.

As both the industry and the Group mature, we’re at an important crossroads. The waste-derived fuel industry forms a vital and flexible treatment route for Europe’s waste. In particular, it offers an alternative to landfill – contributing to a potential reduction in CO2 emissions across the waste management supply chain. The industry also faces a number of challenges to the legitimate, environmentally-sound export of waste derived fuels. We’re working collectively to keep standards high by sharing good practice and committing to the Group’s Code of Practice”. 

Meet the Governing Board

Chair – Andy Jones, Managing Director, Totus Environmental 

Andy Jones has over 25 years’ experience in the international waste and recycling market and over 15 years’ experience owning and managing waste businesses, covering the alternative fuels and hazardous waste sectors. As a result, Andy has excellent understanding of the challenges facing the market as well as close working relationships with other organisations operating within the sector. As Chair of the Group, he uses his experience and expertise within the industry to shape its direction, provide advice and opinion on topics affecting the sector, and ensure that the Group, its members and outputs are respected and trusted by European stakeholders.  

Vice Chair – Adrian Irvine, WTE Business Development Manager, Re-Gen Waste  

Adrian believes that in today’s ever changing and challenging market it is crucial to be current on the myriad of influences which are affecting the RDF and SRF markets. Taking expert advice on the high-level influences affecting the industry from the secretariat, as Vice Chair of the Group Adrian adds insight on the day-to-day effects that high-level decisions could and are making on the ground. He provides feedback and analysis on where lobbying can influence change for the better for all interested parties in the RDF chain from production, testing and logistics, to end-users.  

Adrian believes that whilst it is vital to keep the finger on the pulse of today, the direction of travel of the industry is the only thing we can influence. Therefore, a multi-level approach is needed to shape the way the industry develops, and influence lobbying on direction of change at all levels within the waste industry. It is Adrian’s vision that all Group member organisations use their opportunity to influence across the industry and fulfil their role in engaging and informing stakeholders in local authorities, education, retail and government departments. 

Governing Board – Andrea Dobson, Technical Manager, Enva

Andrea has more than 35 years of experience in the waste industry across a broad range of sectors. Her career in waste started in waste regulation and then transferred into the private sector where her experience covered a wide spectrum of the waste sector. This included managing waste treatment plants processing liquids and solids, industrial, sewer and drain cleaning and as well as project start up and implementation. For the last 11 years Andrea has been involved in the production and quality control of RDF for EFW facilities, SRF for use as a coal replacement and the development of alternative fuels for niche end users gaining an in-depth knowledge of the industry. With a degree in Applied Chemistry, Andrea has a good understanding of the technical issues relating to the compositional and quality requirements for alternative fuels. Actively contributing to working groups industry organisations such as ESA, ICER and Chemicals in Waste Group. 

Governing Board – Robert Corjin, Marketing Manager, Attero

Robert Corijn serves as the Governing Board Lead for External Affairs at the RDF Industry Group, having formally acted as the Groups Chair from 2018-2022. In this capacity and as Chair of the Policy Working Group, he drives cross-border collaboration and policy advocacy to advance sustainable waste management practices across Europe.

In addition to his industry leadership role, Robert is the Marketing Manager at Attero, a leading Dutch waste management company specialising in transforming RDF into renewable energy and resources through its two energy-from-waste plants. With 14 years of experience in the waste sector, Robert has developed expertise in business development, public affairs, and communication. He takes pride in the RDF supply chain’s role in diverting waste from landfills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, producing renewable energy, and advancing the circular economy. Robert firmly believes that cross-border collaboration is essential to achieving Europe’s ambitious sustainability and climate goals.

Governing Board – Simon Lowe, Commercial Director, Willshees

Simon is the Commercial Director at Willshees Waste and Recycling Ltd, overseeing the commercial management of the company’s four sites and with specific responsibilities for managing the production and offtake of RDF and SRF both within the UK and the export market.  Simon also recently managed the successful acquisition of Stanton’s into the Willshees portfolio of businesses.  Prior to his role at Willshees he was Senior Project Manager at Geminor, where he gained vast experience in the RDF market in the UK and in Europe.  He originally started in the industry working as a MRF and HWRC manager for a Tier One waste management company and was involved in process improvement and compliance within these facilities.  Simon is well versed in liaising with regulatory bodies for planning, permitting and TFS purposes and is experienced in the UK regulatory and policy framework for waste processing and recovery.

Meet the Secretariat

The secretariat team is made up of experienced waste professionals and policy and market experts, supported by an excellent research team.  

Mike Brown is Director of Eunomia Research & Consulting, and founded the RDF Industry Group in January 2015, with Eunomia acting as secretariat, and continues to support its strategic direction. Mike has ~40 years’ experience in the energy and waste sectors, the first 20 of which were in an operational capacity.  

Ian Cessford supports the Operations Working Group. Ian currently works as a waste consultant and has ~20 years experience, having previously worked in business recovery services at PwC. He has extensive experience in environmental and quality management systems, contractual strategy, market assessment, commercial due diligence and business process auditing for the waste sector.  

In addition, day to day support is provided by Gabriella Franchi, Secretariat Manager, Vita Ellis, Policy Lead, and Zoë Hodges, Operations Lead.