To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the extent to which greater use of recovered fuel oil for incineration by industry could reduce the use of fossil fuels. (304301)

I have been asked to reply.

Waste Strategy 2007 recognises that recovered fuel oil (RFO), which is part-processed waste oil, may be used as a fuel substitute, and the energy in the RFO recovered. This can lead to a reduction in reliance on fossil fuels. Under the revised Waste Framework Directive the recovery of energy from waste is placed fourth in the waste hierarchy, which shall apply as a priority order, and above waste disposal which includes incineration without energy recovery. The regeneration of waste oil into base oil by re-refining is classed as recycling and is placed third in the waste hierarchy.