Iran turns waste into energy with refuse-derived fuel
Kermanshah facility pioneers clean fuel alternative, cutting reliance on fossil fuels and boosting sustainability
TEHRAN, Iran (MNTV) — Iran is stepping up efforts to transform its mounting waste problem into an economic and environmental opportunity, with refuse-derived fuel (RDF) emerging as a key innovation in reducing fossil fuel dependency.
In Kermanshah, western Iran, the country’s first advanced waste recycling plant, inaugurated in 2000, has grown into a model of sustainable energy use.
The facility now processes between 650 and 700 tonnes of municipal waste daily, producing RDF from non-recyclable materials such as plastics, textiles, and contaminated paper.
This alternative fuel is already being utilized by the West Cement Industries Company in Kermanshah, which has become the first industrial site in the country to partially substitute natural gas with RDF.
Currently, about 120 tonnes of RDF are supplied daily to the plant, accounting for nearly 19% of its gas consumption. Officials say the initiative marks an important step toward diversifying energy sources and cutting carbon emissions.
Iran generates around 60,000 tonnes of waste each day—nearly 20 million tonnes annually—double the per capita average of many countries.
Yet recycling remains limited, with only 5 to 10 percent of waste processed. Experts suggest that recycling six million tonnes annually could yield an estimated $3.5 billion in value, rising to $10 billion when downstream industries are included.
Beyond economic returns, the sector also holds potential for job creation. Recycling and waste management activities, from collection and sorting to processing and manufacturing, are labor-intensive, offering opportunities for both formal and informal employment.
Analysts note that expanding recycling efforts could provide much-needed jobs for Iranian youth while supporting social development.
Environmental benefits are also significant. Waste diverted from landfills prevents the release of methane, a greenhouse gas more harmful than carbon dioxide, while reducing soil and groundwater pollution.
At the same time, substituting RDF for mazut, a highly polluting oil derivative widely used in cement plants, helps lower emissions and supports Iran’s climate goals.
Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, visiting the Kermanshah facility last week, highlighted the importance of scaling up RDF production nationwide, noting its potential to contribute both to energy security and environmental protection.
With increasing pressure to balance economic growth with sustainability, officials say the Kermanshah model could guide wider adoption across the country, turning “dirty gold” into a source of energy, employment, and resilience.
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