AfOR members approve merger with REA

Members of the Association for Organics Recycling have today (September 4) agreed to merge with the Renewable Energy Association.

A decisive vote at a meeting in London this morning saw members agree to the proposal, which was first unveiled last month and will see AfOR become a working group within the REA (see letsrecycle.com story).

AfOR chose to merge with the REA because many of its members are increasingly active in the production of renewable energy through anaerobic digestion and the supply of renewable fuels.

The process of combining AfOR and the REA is expected to be completed by the end of this year and the REA said it would strengthen its position as the UKs largest renewable energy trade association. The REAs membership in the UK will for the first time exceed 1,000 companies and individuals.

Todays announcement will see AfORs managing director Jeremy Jacobs become the REAs technical director. AfORs certification activities, covering compost and biodegradable packaging, will move to the REAs wholly owned subsidiary Renewable Energy Assurance Ltd (REAL). AfOR staff and REAL have already been working together for two years on the Biofertiliser and Green Gas Certification Schemes. AfORs training programmes will continue as part of the REAs programme of training courses for members and non-members.

AfORs remaining activities will continue under the newly-created REA Organics Recycling Group. This group will assist members with enquiries concerning quality standards for compost and digestate; the collection, treatment and use of biodegradable resources; permitting and planning; compostable packaging schemes; and any other subject relating to the treatment of biodegradable resources.

REA chairman Martin Wright said: I am absolutely delighted with this move, which will strengthen the REAs position as the leading trade association representing the UKs renewables industry.

In particular, the scientific and technical expertise of the AfOR staff will greatly enhance the REAs 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

The Association for Organics Recycling was set up in 1994 and has around 300 members. It is the leading trade organisation for the biodegradable waste management industry in the UK. Its members are active in composting, anaerobic and aerobic digestion, and the provision of fuels for biomass heat and power. Like the REA, the association is a not-for-profit organisation.

Mr Jacobs,REA’s new technical director, said: 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 REAs subsidiary company REAL.

REA Chief Executive Gaynor Hartnell added: Im 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 REAs high level advocacy with Government. We will be pressing hard for a joined-up approach.

The news was welcomed by energy and climate change minister Greg Barker. He said: Its good to see the REA and AFOR being brought together under one roof, bringing AfORs 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.