Namibia’s Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, has inaugurated the country’s first refuse-derived fuel (RDF) processing plant, a joint venture between Namibian company Rent-A-Drum and Ohorongo Cement.

The plant was erected after Rent-A-Drum signed an agreement in 2016 with Ohorongo Cement for the supply and delivery of non-recyclable material to use during the cement manufacturing process.

About 12,000tpa of non-recyclable material collected by Rent-A-Drum, will be used at Ohorongo Cement’s plant, along with other alternative fuels to fire the kiln. The use of RDF will add to the cement producer's consumption of wood chips and charcoal fines as part of its alternative fuels usage strategy.

Mr Shifeta applauded the two entities for their initiative to further create much needed employment opportunities, while at the same time ensuring a cleaner and safer environment.  “Your determination will ensure that our ecological process and systems are protected from pollution and contamination by waste. This will also promote the Sustainable Development Goals by ensuring that the current and future generations enjoy a clean natural environment,” he said.