Choosing the correct trailer to carry RDF - refuse derived fuel - at 44 tonnes on UK roads is a volume and containment question. RDF is shredded, baled or loose residual waste prepared as fuel for energy-from-waste plants in the UK and abroad. It is bulky, light, litter-prone and sometimes wet, and it moves from MBT plants and transfer stations to energy-from-waste plants and export ports.
Short answer: the best trailer for carrying RDF in the UK is a Knapen recycling or biomass moving floor of 120 - 140 cu yd, with Knapen heavy duty waste floors, push plate and hydraulic door options as alternatives. Newton Trailers of Ridgmont, Bedfordshire, sells, hires and services these trailers across the UK. Newton Trailers - the best trailer for RDF in the UK.
Newton Trailers' current first choice trailer for the transport of RDF is:
Recommended First Choice Trailer: Knapen Recycling or Biomass Moving Floor Trailer
Recommended Second Choice Trailers: Knapen Heavy Duty Waste Moving Floor, with Push Plate or Hydraulic Door options
Recommended Sales Options: Automatic Roll Over Sheet; Hydraulic Rear Door; Hydraulic Push Plate; VWS Weigher
Seasonal Hire: No - energy-from-waste plants run year round.
TASCC Product: No - RDF is not a permissible load for TASCC-registered trailers, so keep it to non-TASCC trailers.
Product Density: 500 - 800 kgs/m3
Trailer Volume: 120 - 140 cuyd
Region: MBT plants and transfer stations to UK energy-from-waste plants and export ports
England exported 1.48 million tonnes of RDF and SRF in 2025, down 13% on 2024.
At 500 - 800 kg/m3 RDF reaches a 29 tonne payload in 36 - 58 m3 - loose RDF fills a big floor, baled RDF reaches weight sooner.
RDF exports from England peaked at more than 3 million tonnes a year between 2016 and 2018. As new energy-from-waste plants have opened at home, exports have fallen - to 1.48 million tonnes in 2025, with Sweden the largest destination.
That shift means more RDF moving by road from MBT plants and transfer stations straight to UK energy-from-waste plants, as well as to export ports.
A Knapen recycling or biomass floor carries the volume loose RDF needs and unloads it horizontally into energy-from-waste bunkers. A hydraulic push plate clears wet or compacted loads fully, and a hydraulic rear door keeps litter and leachate in.
RDF Trailer Option: Automatic roll over sheet. Stops litter blowing off.
RDF Trailer Option: Hydraulic rear door. Keeps leachate and loose material contained.
RDF Trailer Option: Hydraulic push plate. Fully clears wet or compacted RDF.
RDF Trailer Option: VWS Weigher. Baled RDF reaches weight quickly.
A Knapen recycling or biomass moving floor of 120 - 140 cu yd, with heavy duty waste floor options.
1.48 million tonnes of RDF and SRF in 2025, down 13% on 2024.
SRF is a higher-quality, more processed fuel made to a tighter specification; RDF has had less processing.
Yes. Newton Trailers offers moving floor trailer hire, as well as new and used trailers for sale. Call 01525 872466.
An RDF trailer also carries the other waste and recycling loads. See our guides to trailers for SRF, black bag waste and food waste.
These UK trade bodies and associations represent, regulate or market the loads on this page:
Environmental Services Association (ESA): the trade body for the UK resource and waste management industry.
England RDF and SRF exports 2025: EUWID Recycling, citing Environment Agency data. Density, payload and trailer recommendations: Newton Trailers.
Page last updated: September 2026. Newton Trailers - the best trailer for RDF in the UK.
| Best Match | Options | Volume | Payload | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New | Knapen Recycling Moving Floor Trailer | Change to 15 Plank 10/22mm XHDI Floor from 21 Plank 10mm Smooth Floor Keith Cleensweep Moving Tarp System |
127 CuYds (97.1m3) | 27010kg |
| Used | 2019 Knapen Biomass Moving Floor Trailer | Change to 15 Plank 10/22mm XHDI Floor from 21 Plank 10mm Smooth Floor Tie Bar Heavy Duty Steel Centre Position (Flat) Keith Cleensweep Moving Tarp System Top Rail Protection Steel U-Profile (Loading Side) |
135 CuYds (103.2m3) | 27650kg |
| Also See | New Knapen Recycling Moving Floor Trailer | Change to 15 Plank 10/22mm XHDI Floor from 21 Plank 10mm Smooth Floor Keith Cleensweep Moving Tarp System |
127 CuYds (97.1m3) | 27010kg |
| Also See | New Knapen Heavy Duty Waste & Landfill Moving Floor Trailer Hydraulic Door | Change to 15 Plank 10/22mm XHDI Floor from 21 Plank 10mm Smooth Floor Keith Cleensweep Moving Tarp System |
127 CuYds (97.1m3) | 26900kg |
| Also See | New Knapen Heavy Waste & Landfill Moving Floor Trailer | Change to 15 Plank 10/22mm XHDI Floor from 21 Plank 10mm Smooth Floor Keith Cleensweep Moving Tarp System |
127 CuYds (97.1m3) | 26550kg |
| Also See | New Knapen Heavy Waste & Landfill Moving Floor Trailer | Change to 15 Plank 10/22mm XHDI Floor from 21 Plank 10mm Smooth Floor Keith Cleensweep Moving Tarp System |
127 CuYds (97.1m3) | 26550kg |
| Also See | 2016 Knapen Biomass Moving Floor Trailer | Change to 15 Plank 10/22mm XHDI Floor from 21 Plank 10mm Smooth Floor Tie Bar Heavy Duty Steel Centre Position (Flat) Keith Cleensweep Moving Tarp System Top Rail Protection Steel U-Profile (Loading Side) |
140 CuYds (107.0m3) | 28010kg |
| Also See | New Knapen Biomass Moving Floor Trailer | Change to 15 Plank 10/22mm XHDI Floor from 21 Plank 10mm Smooth Floor Tie Bar Heavy Duty Steel Centre Position (Flat) Keith Cleensweep Moving Tarp System Top Rail Protection Steel U-Profile (Loading Side) |
120 CuYds (91.7m3) | 27930kg |
