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 it 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 37 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 Team 

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. 

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.  

Tom McKenzie-Brook is director of the RDF Industry Group secretariat. A Chartered Engineer and experienced project manager & director, Tom brings a range of experience across the waste management and energy sectors covering operations, consultancy, and trade bodies. Tom provides overall direction to the secretariat team, and supports the Group’s external affairs activities and the Policy Working Group.  

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 Helena Connors, Secretariat Manager, Gabriella Franchi, Policy Lead, and Amy Perrin, Operations Lead.