What is a Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF)?

Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) is made by processing non-recyclable, high-calorific-value waste like plastics and textiles into usable fuel. Instead of sending this waste to landfills or burning it uncontrolled, RDF turns it into a cleaner fuel that can partially replace coal, pet coke, and firewood in industrial boilers, cement kilns, and power plants.

How RDF Production Works (Step-by-Step)

1. Collection & Sorting

  • Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is collected from cities and industrial zones.
  • Waste is sorted to remove recyclables and organics.

2. Selection of Feedstock

  • Focus on non-recyclable, high-calorific materials such as plastics, textiles, and multilayer packaging.

3.Shredding & Drying

  • Selected waste is shredded to uniform size.
  • Moisture content is reduced to improve combustion efficiency.

4. Processing & Pelletizing

  • Shredded waste is compressed or pelletized to create standardized fuel products.

5. Transportation & Storage

  • RDF is packed, stored, and transported to industrial users like cement kilns or power plants.

6. Co-Firing in Industries

  • RDF is blended with conventional fuels (coal, pet coke, firewood).
  • Burns cleanly with existing systems, reducing fossil fuel use and emissions.

Advantages of RDF

• Reduces fossil fuel use.
• Diverts waste from landfills.
• Provides a sustainable solution for non-recyclable plastics.
• Preserves landfill space.
• Lowers carbon footprint.
• Supports domestic energy security.
• Reduces industrial fuel costs.

Statutory Compliance

Under India’s Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 (Rule 18), industries within 100 km of an RDF plant must replace at least 5% of their solid fuel with RDF, supporting sustainable waste management.

Environmental Benefits

Problems RDF Helps Solve:
• Reduces landfill use.
• Lowers groundwater and soil contamination.
• Cuts air pollution from uncontrolled burning.
• Minimizes greenhouse gas emissions.