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AfOR members vote to strengthen advocacy for organics waste sector
REA integrates leading compost and biogas association
AfOR is pleased to announce that further to the EGM held today in London, after a decisive vote by its members, the Association for Organics Recycling (AfOR) [1] will integrate into the Renewable Energy Association (REA) [2]. Chairman Mike Orr is delighted with the resounding support from members. "This vote which endorsed the view of the AfOR board is clearly a very positive step for the sector and will assist the interests of members".
The process of combining AfOR and the REA will be completed by the end of this year and will strengthen the REA’s position as the UK’s largest trade association representing the UK renewables industry. The REA’s membership in the UK will for the first time exceed 1,000 companies and individuals.
REA Chairman Martin Wright comments:
"I am absolutely delighted with this move, which will strengthen the REA’s position as the leading trade association representing the UK’s renewables industry.
"In particular, the scientific and technical expertise of the AfOR staff will greatly enhance REA’s advocacy on behalf of the organic waste-to-energy sector. It also makes strategic sense to house all organics certification activity under one roof."
AfOR’s Managing Director and the REA’s new Technical Director Jeremy Jacobs comments:
"We chose to merge with the REA because many of our members are increasingly active in anaerobic digestion and the supply of renewable fuels. This move will therefore bring tangible benefits to existing members of both associations. In addition, our certification activity has natural synergies with the two existing biogas certification schemes run by the REA’s subsidiary company REAL."
REA Chief Executive, Gaynor Hartnell, added:
"I’m determined that the UK makes more of its organic resources, for both energy production and enhancing soil quality. Waste management and renewable energy are entirely complementary, yet can so easily fall through the gap between different Government departments. The needs of the organics recycling sector will now form part of REA’s high level advocacy with Government. We will be pressing hard for a joined-up approach."
Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said:
"It’s good to see the REA and AFOR being brought together under one roof, bringing AFOR’s expertise on anaerobic digestion and waste management to the table. I look forward to working with the expanded REA team on anaerobic digestion and other green issues going forward."
Steve Lee, CEO of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, said:
"Waste is now part of the wider resource and renewable energy agenda and the industry needs strong trade associations to ensure that its full potential is realised. CIWM wishes AfOR and REA success in this merger and we look forward to maintaining a strong working partnership on biowaste and renewable energy issues."
Dr Jeremy Tomkinson, CEO of bioeconomy consultants NNFCC, said:
"This merger should give the growing anaerobic digestion and composting industries a greater voice going into the future and help realise the Government’s ambitions to cut waste and promote sustainable energy. The REA and AfOR are two of the most respected names in the sector, by merging they are creating a ‘superbrand’ to boost green growth."
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1. The Association for Organics Recycling was founded as The Composting Association in 1994. It changed its name in 2008 to reflect the diversification of its members. It owns and manages the compost quality standard PAS 100, and also manages on behalf of Din Certco the compostable packaging standard EN 13432. It will be closing its offices in Wellingborough and joining the REA at its new offices in Eccleston Place in Victoria.
2. The REA was founded as the Renewable Power Association in 2001. It has grown rapidly since then to become the UK’s largest renewables industry association uniquely covering all renewable energy applications; heat, power, transport and green gas/biomethane.
The REA has played a key role in shaping the UK’s major renewable energy support mechanisms, including: the Renewables Obligation, Zero Carbon Buildings Targets, the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation, the Renewable Energy Strategy and Directive, and grant programmes and Feed-in Tariffs for on-site electricity.
The REA was also instrumental in securing the Renewable Heat Incentive, the world’s first incentive mechanism for renewable heat and gas, applications previously overlooked in the UK. It also set up the REAL Consumer Code to raise standards in the consumer-facing industry, and REAL has subsequently launched the Green Gas and Biofertiliser Certification Schemes, as well as developing and administering the Code of Practice for Green Deal providers.
3. The Renewable Energy Assurance Ltd. (REAL) Consumer Code was set up by the Renewable Energy Association. Its aim is to guarantee a high quality experience for consumers wishing to buy or lease small-scale energy generation systems for their homes. The REAL logo is a sign that the company has agreed to abide by the high standards set out in our Consumer Code.
4. The Biofertiliser Certification Scheme (BCS), part of Renewable Energy Assurance Ltd, provides assurance to consumers, farmers, food producers and retailers that digestate produced from anaerobic digestion is safe for human, animal and plant health. Biofertiliser is the name adopted for the quality digestate that meets the PAS110 & ADQP or ASRS specification.
For more information, see:
5. The Green Gas Certification Scheme (GGCS), part of Renewable Energy Assurance Ltd, tracks biomethane, or ‘green gas’, through the supply chain to provide certainty for those that buy it. The GGCS tracks each unit of green gas from its injection into the distribution grid, to any trades, to its sale to a consumer, or group of consumers. It tracks the contractual rather than physical flows to ensure there is no double-counting from production to end use.
For more information, see:
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