A review from researchers at Adelaide University examines using non-recyclable landfill waste as refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in cement kilns. Cement production accounts for about 8% of global CO2 emissions, largely because kilns burn coal and other fossil fuels for high heat. Co-processing RDF with conventional fuels could cut coal use while keeping burnable waste out of landfills, but the review stresses that fuel quality, regulation, and clear classification are needed for it to work at scale. The team reviewed 211 academic papers and multiple regulatory documents, and found that inconsistent terminology is a major barrier. Many studies confuse RDF with solid recovered fuel (SRF), which has stricter quality standards. Without clearer definitions and better quality control, cement makers face too much uncertainty to adopt waste-based fuels safely and economically. The authors also note that reuse and recycling should remain the priority, with RDF reserved for trash that cannot be recycled.
