Energy Recovery Facilities (ERF)

What is an Energy Recovery Facility (ERF)?

After every effort is made to extract recyclates from commercial and residential collections, residual waste can be sent to one of our Energy Recovery Facilities (or ERF). Here, waste is safely incinerated to recover electricity, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.

Partly renewable, sustainable energy

Energy recovery is an important source of partly renewable, sustainable energy and a vital link in the waste management chain. Veolia's Energy Recovery Facilities (ERFs) complement integrated local waste strategies, helping to meet recovery and carbon emission targets.

Waste reduction, recycling and materials recovery operations are the first priority for our integrated contracts. Once we have optimised these operations, it makes sense to recover energy from the remaining waste where possible.

Our ERFs reduce the use of fossil fuels, cut emissions of greenhouse gases and reduce dependence on landfill. Engaging closely with residents near the site, we help Local Authorities to secure planning permissions and to break down the barriers to establishing this kind of technology. 

Our ten Energy Recovery Facilities process around 2.5 million tonnes of waste each year, almost a quarter of the UK market (11.5Mt) generating more than 1,600 GWh.

Clearly safe and environmentally sound

Our ERFs are constructed and operate within the highest standards of environmental care, meeting or exceeding emissions legislation. During the planning and build process and beyond, we conduct a carefully targeted public information campaign to make this clear.  Through face-to-face, online and print communications, we will talk to residents and other stakeholders and counter any outdated misconceptions about energy recovery with clearly presented facts.