In the effort for companies around the world to reach sustainability requirements and their own personal goals, there is constant research being done to discover the best way to reach these sustainability efforts. As part of this new research, it has been discovered that there are different ways to convert specific materials into clean fuel, which improves the environment and helps keep waste and other materials out of landfills. Here, our experts at LJP Waste Solutions will discuss what the differences are between two primary types of clean fuel, and why each may be better for you.

What is RDF?

Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) is a type of clean fuel, which can be made from shredding certain materials before burning them to create a clean fuel to help increase sustainability efforts. Though this type of fuel is a good choice for many customers, it is not as efficient or as pure as other types of clean fuel. Essentially, RDF is created by sorting combustible from noncombustible waste materials. These materials are then shredded into minuscule pieces by using state-of-the-art equipment. They are then burned at power plants as a form of clean fuel. With RDF, after the materials are initially sorted, they typically go through just one screening before they are shredded, which makes RDF a fairly basic and crude fuel type.

For the most part, RDF is created from the waste materials that come from businesses or domestic areas. When creating RDF, it is critical to sort out the materials that can be used in a more efficient way and transport them to be used elsewhere. As sustainability and energy requirements continually change, so do the restrictions around RDF, so the process to create it may change over time, as well. To learn more about RDF and how it is made, contact LJP Waste Solutions today.

What is SRF?

Solid recovered fuel (SRF) is another type of clean fuel used by several different energy plants as a way to reduce emissions and reach sustainability goals. Unlike RDF, SRF is a more refined material that is slightly more efficient than RDF, though it takes a more advanced process to make the fuel. At LJP, we do not convert materials to SRF. However, companies that do convert materials to SRF usually get the exact specifications for the fuel from their clients. Because SRF is a finer, carefully made type of fuel, clients are able to request that some materials be shredded to certain lengths, and for that reason, the process takes longer and is more difficult. Some of the steps involved in making SRF are similar to RDF. However, most are more complex.

To make SRF, the materials taken in go through the same initial sorting process that is used for RDF. However, once the initial sorting is completed, the size specifications for the client are taken into account. RDF materials are all shredded into the same size pieces, while some SRF materials are shredded into larger and smaller pieces, which depends on the preference of the customers. Once that is completed, the shredded materials are sorted even more. Materials that can be recycled or reused are transferred out, while materials that cannot be recycled, like certain plastics or wood products, are left in with the other shredded materials. Sometimes, companies are asked to shred and sort the materials even more, and once that is completed, they can be shipped to the clients who requested SRF fuel.

What Does LJP Use and Why?

At LJP, we convert the materials we collect from your business into RDF. After your materials have been transported to our facility, we sort them into like products before further sorting them into different categories. Some of these categories are recyclable materials, compostable materials, combustible materials, and more. From there, each material group is sent to a predetermined location. For instance, recyclable materials are sent to our partners to be converted into new products, while we send combustible materials to our power plants to be converted to RDF. We convert our materials to RDF because we have found this to be the most effective process for our organization. Some of the materials we are capable of converting into RDF includes:

●        Some plastics

●        Most biodegradable materials

●        And more

Once the materials are sorted, they are then shredded into minuscule pieces, which are then burned to provide clean energy. Through our partnership with Xcel Energy, we provide them with materials for RDF to improve their sustainability efforts. To learn more about why we use RDF, contact our office today. 

Contact LJP Waste Solutions Today

If you are in Southern Minnesota and searching for a team of sustainability experts to help you enhance your company’s efficiency, contact our team at LJP Waste Solutions today. Since we opened for business in 1993, we have helped countless clients reach their sustainability goals, while also reducing the use of natural resources. To learn more about our services or to request a free consultation, give us a call at 507-625-1968 or message us on our contact page today.