RiverRidge is at the forefront of revolutionising the way we think about waste and resource management. It sees and treats waste as a commodity in order to extract its future value.
At the heart of its operations is the circular economy model. Instead of viewing waste as a problem, the circular economy approach sees it as a valuable resource.
One current project from RiverRidge, Northern Ireland’s leading waste and resource management company, is the development of an alternative vehicle fuel project and anaerobic digestion (AD) plant that maximises the level of recycling from residual waste. The development of the AD plant will see the production of biomethane that will subsequently fuel the company’s fleet of vehicles, with the remainder being injected into the grid.
The first stage has been completed and phase two of the £50m project is due to commence in Q4 2023. It will have a considerable impact on the RiverRidge’s carbon reduction targets and will showcase the high level of innovation from the company that is unrivalled within the Northern Ireland market.
The development of RiverRidge’s £50m anaerobic digestion plant is unique in that it comprises the conversion of waste to green energy through the extraction of organic and fibre material from waste streams, including black bin, to produce biomethane – a highly sought after source of energy, which will be used to generate green electricity, heat and biofuel.
In Northern Ireland alone, the aspiration is to generate 1,400,000 MWth of biomethane each year. When topped up very slightly with propane, the gas can be injected into the Northern Ireland gas network to substantially decarbonise it.
Europe as a whole is aiming to increase its biomethane production to over 320,000,000 MWth. Key to generating biomethane is a feedstock that has a large element of methane in it, and this is where RiverRidge comes in.
RiverRidge’s R&D focus over the past five years has been to design a technology that can maximise the extraction of methane gas from its waste streams.
Historically, its desire to divert this waste stream from landfill has focused on the combustion of the waste in order to create electricity. While this is still a fundamental part of the company’s strategy, it is recognised that the combustion of waste, particularly plastic waste, carries with it an unacceptably high carbon footprint.
If Northern Ireland is to realise carbon neutrality in the waste sector, a long-term alternative to the combustion of waste will be imperative.
Furthermore, RiverRidge is actively involved in carbon capture initiatives. Carbon capture and storage involves capturing carbon dioxide emissions emitted from industrial processes and storing them underground, preventing them from entering the atmosphere and contributing to climate change. By implementing carbon capture technologies, RiverRidge is actively reducing its carbon footprint and mitigating the impact of its operations on the environment.
RiverRidge’s approach to waste management goes beyond compliance with regulations. It is committed to finding innovative solutions and promoting sustainability, and continuing to lead the way in the Northern Ireland waste sector.
