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Warrenpoint Harbour Authority have announced today 15 September that ReGen Waste has removed all Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) waste bales from the port and that they are proposing that in future any RDF waste is not stored there, but put directly on to ships instead. Currently they are allowing Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) to be stored on site but because of odours in recent days they are requesting that these are also removed for a period of assessment.
** Despite a query to ReGen from Newry.ie 18/9/25 they have been unable or unwilling to confirm to us that RDF has indeed been removed from site, casting the WHA into doubt.
In their statement WHA said "Warrenpoint Harbour Authority (WHA) shares the frustration of the local community relating to the intermittent RDF odours at the Port.
"We have had extensive engagement with ReGen over many months on this issue. ReGen have now removed all RDF from the Port and are currently only storing SRF on site. We have proposed that, in the future, RDF is not stored at the Port but is instead transported directly to ships, for export.
* "Only Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) is now being stored on site which we have been informed should be non-odorous.
"While the removal of RDF is a welcome development, further investigation is required to resolve the odour issue fully. We expect ReGen to continue to collaborate constructively with us to achieve this."
The statement continued "While the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) are responsible for reviewing and approving ReGen's license at the Port, WHA are taking every step possible to ensure our concerns are addressed.
"We have requested urgent meetings with the NIEA and with Minister Andrew Muir to discuss those concerns."
Position Vindicated
Speaking on the WHA announcement, Crotlieve Councillor Jarlath Tinnelly a member of WHA Board said: "I only joined the WHA board in August 2024 and promised myself that as a local councillor I would endeavour at every turn to help get this matter resolved from within or I would not remain on the board if that proved an impossible task."
"Prior to my appointment, locals lamented the absence of local councillors on the board and yet when appointed I quickly became the lightning rod for their vocal opposition to Regen.
"Despite the abuse and relentless criticism I stuck to the task and I believe my position has now been vindicated."
Cllr Tinnelly concluded "We have gone from 20,000 ton of RDF storage to zero in just over a year and my job now as part of the board is to ensure this continues."
Warrenpoint campaign group Rotten to the Point has constantly highlighted smells coming from the port and has campaigned for the removal of the bales. In a Facebook post yesterday they said they believed there would be an announcement today but "Unless the big news is that Re-Gen Waste is packing their bags and leaving the Harbour for good, we’re not interested"
South Down MLA Sinéad Ennis also welcomed news that Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) has been removed from Warrenpoint Port, crediting the move to sustained pressure from Sinn Féin and the local community.
"This is a huge victory for the people of Warrenpoint and the surrounding area who have endured an unacceptable foul odour for far too long,” said the South Down MLA.
"The removal of RDF is a direct result of the political and community pressure, including Sinn Féin's decision to resign from the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority board in July this year.
"Public health and well-being must always come first. When we took the decision to resign from the board, we made it clear that we would not re-engage until there was a complete and permanent end to all RDF activities at the port.
“Today’s announcement is a testament to the power of political representatives working together with the community to demand decisive action.
"We have been informed that only odourless Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) will now be stored at the port. Alongside the local community, we will continue to closely monitor the situation.”
What is SPF and RDF
Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) is produced from Household Residual Waste The ReGen site states "RDF is an efficient use of otherwise valueless waste. The material we process goes on to heat homes and create electricity".
SRF is produced from mainly commercial waste including paper, card, wood, textiles and plastic. The ReGen website explains "Our highest-grade fuel, SRF, is the result of a detailed process which uses the latest technology to remove the contaminants and produce a low chlorine fuel with a high calorific value.
"Our plant utilises a series of magnets, screens, eddy currents and windshifters to refine the fuel prior to final processing where the specification can be matched to each client’s requirements..."
*Statement Update 11.20 15/9/25
** Update 19/9/25 - We have changed headline to allegedly as ReGen have been unable to confirm to us that this is the case despite WHA restating yesterday that this was the case. We have also added a caveat to the story.
