Alternative fuels have been successfully used in cement kilns for decades. In the UK, alternative fuels used include: secondary liquid fuels; scrap tyres; paper, packaging and household waste; meat and bone meal; sewage sludge pellets.

In its Environmental Sector Plan the cement industry regulator, the Environment Agency, says it is satisfied that alternative fuels can be used without environmental detriment compared with conventional fuels and can in some cases achieve substantial pollution reduction.

In order to obtain permission to use alternative fuels long-term, operators must first undergo a rigorous process of trials, see below. Extensive consultation with local communities is a requirement.

1. Consultation
2. Application for trial
3. Consultation
4. Permit for trial issued
5. Trial stage 1-1,000 hours of baseline testing
6. Trial stage 2-1,000 hours of testing with new fuel
7. Operator reports on trial
8. Consultation
9. EA assess report
10. EA announces outcome

In this section

• The UK's waste problem
• About Climafuel
• About tyres
• About Secondary Liquid Fuel (SLF)
• Alternative fuels in Germany