Information for Leeds Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility, Former wholesale market on Pontefract Lane in Cross Green, Leeds
Status: ExistingPlanning Region: Yorkshire and the Humber
Planning Sub-Region: West Yorkshire
Operator: Veolia
Capacity: 190,000
Campaign Group(s): FoE Leeds / No Incinerator, Leeds / No2incinerator
Notes: Operations began in April 2016 [Source]. Planning permission granted February 2013 [Source, See planning application]. Leeds signed a Waste PFI with Veolia in November 2012 [Source]. The BEIS 2020 Q1 Heat Networks Pipeline Report associates this incinerator with a district heat network [Source]. (Entry updated 2021-03-19)
R1 status of incinerators - 8 April 2026 (Environment Agency)
Uses data from R1 status of incinerators in England released by the Environment Agency. © Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2026. All rights reserved.
Permit: GP3334CX
| Operator | Installation name | Installation address | Permit status | Waste input (000s tonnes per annum) | Incinerator type | Calculated R1 value | Application R1 status granted | Source of data used in R1 calculations | Date R1 application status granted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veolia ES Leeds Ltd | Leeds Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility | Former Wholesale Market Site, Newmarket Approach, Cross Green, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 0RJ | Permit issued | 164 | Municipal waste | 0.71 | Yes | Design | 18/10/2012 |
Waste management for England 2024: Operational (Environment Agency)
Uses data from 2024 Waste Data Interrogator - Version 2 released by the Environment Agency under the Environment Agency Conditional Licence. © Environment Agency copyright
Permit: GP3334CX
| Date First Permitted | Operator Name | Site Name | Site Address | Type | Permitted Capacity (tonnage) | Tonnage Incinerated in 2015 | Tonnage Incinerated in 2016 | Tonnage Incinerated in 2017 | Tonnage Incinerated in 2018 | Tonnage Incinerated in 2019 | Tonnage Incinerated in 2020 | Tonnage Incinerated in 2021 | Tonnage Incinerated in 2022 | Tonnage Incinerated in 2023 | Tonnage Incinerated in 2024 | Tonnage Incinerated in 2022 | Tonnage Incinerated in 2023 | Tonnage Incinerated in 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18/07/2013 | Veolia ES Leeds Ltd | Leeds Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility | Former Wholesale Market Site,Newmarket Approach,Cross Green,LEEDS,West Yorkshire LS9 0RJ | Municipal and/or Industrial & Commercial | 179,580 | 16,331 | 165,940 | 171,567 | 188,797 | 190,501 | 202,119 | 200,203 | 187,270 | 196,249 | 172,711 | 187,270 | 196,249 | 172,711 |
Waste management for England 2023 & 2024: Waste received
2023: Uses data from 2023 Waste Data Interrogator - Version 2 released by the Environment Agency under the Environment Agency Conditional Licence. © Environment Agency copyright
2024: Uses data from 2024 Waste Data Interrogator - Version 2 released by the Environment Agency under the Environment Agency Conditional Licence. © Environment Agency copyright
Permit: GP3334CX
Form: Solid
Fate: Incineration
R and D code: R01
| EWC Waste Desc | Waste Code | Recorded Origin | Origin WPA | Origin Region | SOC Category | SOC Sub Category | Tonnes Received (2023) | Tonnes Received (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mixed municipal waste | 20 03 01 | Leeds | Leeds | Yorks & Humber | 10 - Mixed ordinary wastes | Household and similar wastes | 186,058 | 184,508 (-0.8%) |
| combustible waste (refuse derived fuel) | 19 12 10 | Leeds | Leeds | Yorks & Humber | 10 - Mixed ordinary wastes | Sorting residues | 6,048 | 6,605 (+9%) |
| wastes whose collection and disposal is not subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection(for example dressings, plaster casts, linen, disposable clothing, diapers) | 18 01 04 | Leeds | Leeds | Yorks & Humber | 10 - Mixed ordinary wastes | Mixed and undifferentiated materials | 1,371 | 1,452 (+6%) |
| other wastes (including mixtures of materials) from mechanical treatment of wastes other than those mentioned in 19 12 11 | 19 12 12 | Leeds | Leeds | Yorks & Humber | 10 - Mixed ordinary wastes | Sorting residues | 2,407 | 822 (-66%) |
| biodegradable kitchen and canteen waste | 20 01 08 | Leeds | Leeds | Yorks & Humber | 09 - Animal and vegetal wastes | Waste of food preparation and products | 233 | 311 (+33%) |
| biodegradable kitchen and canteen waste | 20 01 08 | Sheffield | Sheffield | Yorks & Humber | 09 - Animal and vegetal wastes | Waste of food preparation and products | 301 | |
| mixed municipal waste | 20 03 01 | Sheffield | Sheffield | Yorks & Humber | 10 - Mixed ordinary wastes | Household and similar wastes | 256 | |
| wastes whose collection and disposal is not subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection(for example dressings, plaster casts, linen, disposable clothing, diapers) | 18 01 04 | Not Codeable | Not Codeable | Not Codeable | 10 - Mixed ordinary wastes | Mixed and undifferentiated materials | 39 | |
| biodegradable kitchen and canteen waste | 20 01 08 | Manchester | Manchester | North West | 09 - Animal and vegetal wastes | Waste of food preparation and products | 6 | |
| street-cleaning residues | 20 03 03 | Leeds | Leeds | Yorks & Humber | 10 - Mixed ordinary wastes | Household and similar wastes | 65 | |
| wastes whose collection and disposal is not subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection(for example dressings, plaster casts, linen, disposable clothing, diapers) | 18 01 04 | York | York, City of | Yorks & Humber | 10 - Mixed ordinary wastes | Mixed and undifferentiated materials | 61 | |
| paper and cardboard | 20 1 01 | Leeds | Leeds | Yorks & Humber | 07 - Non-metallic wastes | Paper and cardboard wastes | 5 | |
| biodegradable waste | 20 02 01 | Leeds | Leeds | Yorks & Humber | 09 - Animal and vegetal wastes | Green wastes | 1 |
Waste management for England 2023 & 2024: Waste removed
2023: Uses data from 2023 Waste Data Interrogator - Version 1 released by the Environment Agency under the Environment Agency Conditional Licence. © Environment Agency copyright
2024: Uses data from 2024 Waste Data Interrogator - Version 2 released by the Environment Agency under the Environment Agency Conditional Licence. © Environment Agency copyright
Permit: GP3334CX
| EWC Sub Chapter | EWC Waste Desc | Waste Code | Recorded Destination | Destination WPA | Destination Region | Fate | R and D code | SOC Category | SOC Sub Category | Tonnes Removed (2023) | Tonnes Removed (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incineration or pyrolysis of waste | bottom ash and slag other than those mentioned in 19 01 11 | 19 01 12 | Sheffield | Sheffield | Yorks & Humber | Recovery | R05 | 12 - Mineral wastes | Combustion wastes | 35,994.16 | 33,741.02 (-6%) |
| Incineration or pyrolysis of waste | solid wastes from gas treatment | 19 01 07* | Walsall | Walsall | West Midlands | Recovery | R11 | 12 - Mineral wastes | Combustion wastes | 4,375.72 | 3,026.40 (-31%) |
| Mechanical treatment of waste (for example sorting - crushing - compacting - pelletising) not otherwise specified | ferrous metal | 19 12 02 | Doncaster | Doncaster | Yorks & Humber | Recovery | R04 | 06 - Metallic wastes | Ferrous metal waste and scrap | 3,397.58 | 2,518.40 (-26%) |
| Incineration or pyrolysis of waste | ferrous materials removed from bottom ash | 19 01 02 | Leeds | Leeds | Yorks & Humber | Recovery | R04 | 06 - Metallic wastes | Ferrous metal waste and scrap | 247.84 | 2,145.96 (+766%) |
| Mechanical treatment of waste (for example sorting - crushing - compacting - pelletising) not otherwise specified | non-ferrous metal | 19 12 03 | Doncaster | Doncaster | Yorks & Humber | Recovery | R04 | 06 - Metallic wastes | Non-ferrous metal waste and scrap | 1,611.98 | 2,081.82 (+29%) |
| Mechanical treatment of waste (for example sorting - crushing - compacting - pelletising) not otherwise specified | ferrous metal | 19 12 02 | Leeds | Leeds | Yorks & Humber | Recovery | R04 | 06 - Metallic wastes | Ferrous metal waste and scrap | 802.96 | |
| Incineration or pyrolysis of waste | solid wastes from gas treatment | 19 01 07* | Cheshire | Cheshire (WPA not codeable) | North West | Long term storage | D12 | 12 - Mineral wastes | Combustion wastes | 35.40 | |
| Mechanical treatment of waste (for example sorting - crushing - compacting - pelletising) not otherwise specified | non-ferrous metal | 19 12 03 | West Midlands | West Midlands (WPA Not codeable) | West Midlands | Recovery | R04 | 06 - Metallic wastes | Non-ferrous metal waste and scrap | 27.26 | |
| Separately collected fractions (except 15 01) | metals | 20 01 40 | Leeds | Leeds | Yorks & Humber | Recovery | R04 | 06 - Metallic wastes | Mixed metal wastes | 11.08 | 21.80 (+97%) |
| Mechanical treatment of waste (for example sorting - crushing - compacting - pelletising) not otherwise specified | plastic and rubber | 19 12 04 | Leeds | Leeds | Yorks & Humber | Recovery | R05 | 07 - Non-metallic wastes | Plastic wastes | 16.78 | 17.24 (+3%) |
| Incineration or pyrolysis of waste | ferrous materials removed from bottom ash | 19 01 02 | Doncaster | Doncaster | Yorks & Humber | Recovery | R04 | 06 - Metallic wastes | Ferrous metal waste and scrap | 2,017.40 | |
| Incineration or pyrolysis of waste | ferrous materials removed from bottom ash | 19 01 02 | North Lincolnshire | North Lincolnshire | Yorks & Humber | Recovery | R04 | 06 - Metallic wastes | Ferrous metal waste and scrap | 23.50 | |
| Incineration or pyrolysis of waste | solid wastes from gas treatment | 19 01 07* | Cheshire West and Chester | Cheshire West and Chester | North West | Long term storage | D12 | 12 - Mineral wastes | Combustion wastes | 11.86 |
Environment Agency 2024 & 2025 Pollution Inventory: Substances
2024: Uses data from the Pollution Inventory 2024 released by the Environment Agency under the Open Government License.
2025: Uses data from the Pollution Inventory 2025 snapshot from April 2025 released by the Environment Agency under the Open Government License. The data may change in the final version.
Permit: GP3334CX
SITE ADDRESS: Leeds Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility Former Wholesale Market Site Cross Green
ROUTE NAME: Air
| SUBSTANCE NAME | QUANTITY RELEASED (kg) (2024) | QUANTITY RELEASED (kg) (2025) | METHODNAME (2024) | METHODNAME (2025) | METHODTEXT (2024) | METHODTEXT (2025) | METHODDESCRIPTION (2024) | METHODDESCRIPTION (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon dioxide | 165,000,000 | 165,980,610 (+0.6%) | Measured | Calculated | Measurement method demonstrated by means of certified reference materials and approved by us | Method from the guidelines for the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions under the Emission Trading Scheme | ||
| Carbon Dioxide From Qualifying Renewable Fuel Sources | 85,800,000 | 106,227,590 (+24%) | Calculated | co2 measured x Bigenic factor from waste sampling (utilised 0.52 as this was bigenic NCV figure) | Other calculation method | Method from the guidelines for the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions under the Emission Trading Scheme | ||
| Nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2) as NO2 | 157,685 | 161,169 (+2%) | Measured | Measurement method demonstrated by means of certified reference materials and approved by us | Measurement method prescribed by us in an operating permit or licence for the facility | |||
| Nickel | 37.57 | Measured | Measurement method prescribed by us in an operating permit or licence for the facility | |||||
| Chromium | 12.07 | 16.25 (+35%) | Measured | Measurement method demonstrated by means of certified reference materials and approved by us | Measurement method prescribed by us in an operating permit or licence for the facility | |||
| Mercury | 2.09 | Measured | Measurement method prescribed by us in an operating permit or licence for the facility | |||||
| Ammonia | 11,370.00 | Measured | Measurement method demonstrated by means of certified reference materials and approved by us | |||||
| Nitrous oxide | 10,917.00 | Measured | Measurement method demonstrated by means of certified reference materials and approved by us | |||||
GHG Performance in 2022
Uses data from operators collated for openDemocracy article "Some ‘renewable’ UK incinerators are more polluting than coal stations"
Permit: GP3334CX
| Total waste combusted (Total) | Electricity generated (MWh) | Electricity imported (MWh) | Electricity Exported (MWh) | Annual mass of carbon dioxide released (t) | CO2 Source | Annual mass emissions of nitrous oxide (tonnes) | N2O source | Biogenic percentage | Biogenic source | Total kg CO2e (including biogenic) per tonne combusted | Fossil kg CO2 per tonne combusted | Kg of fossil carbon equiv per MWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 187,270 | 106,632 | 263 | 92,516 | 161,064 | (Scenario A2 and B1) Calculation has been based on mass emissions from the CEMS from 1st July 2022 - 31st December 2022 after the flowmeters and CO2 was calibrated. This tonnage figure was multiplied by 2 to get the annual mass of CO2 emitted. Average CO2% for July 2022 - December 2022 per month was 8.3%. Tonnage was 4.1t (multiplied by 2 for annual production) multiplied by factor 19642 to convert to mg/m3 . CO2 released per MWh energy exported is derived from electricity + steam exported. | 12.6 | (Scenario A2 and B1) Calculation has been based on mass emissions from the CEMS from 1st July 2022 - 31st December 2022 after the flowmeters and N2O was calibrated. This tonnage figure was multiplied by 2 to get the annual mass of N2O emitted. Average N2O for July 2022 - December 2022 per month was 13.36mg/m3. Tonnage for the period was 6.3t (multiplied by 2 for annual production). | 52.21% | (Scenario B2) The biogenic NCV percentage has been calculated by inputting Leeds RERF feedstock sampling (an average of the 4 sampling days through 2022). This data was input into the Tolvic WRAP 2017 report to generate the percentage. Note that only household waste was sampled and therefore commercial waste has been kept as the national average in the Tolvic Report. Waste sampling Biogenic percentages: Q1 -54.7%, Q2 - 50.8%, Q3 - 52.2%, Q4 - 54.7%. The total waste processed constitutes 95.2% Mixed Municipal (HH) and 4.8% Commercial/Clinical waste. | 880 | 411 | 873 |
GHG Performance in 2023
Uses data from Pollution Inventory 2023 extract and Annual Peformance Reports submitted by operators and released by the Environment Agency under the Open Government License
Permit: GP3334CX
| Permitted capacity (ktpa) | Total waste combusted | CO2 (kg) | CO2 per tonne (kg) | CO2 Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 190 | 178,482 | 167,013,000 | 936 | Pollution Inventory |
APR Summary 2024 & 2025
Details taken or derived from the Annual Performance Report submitted by the operator
Permit: GP3334CX
| Entry | Value (2024) | Value (2025) | Notes (2024) | Notes (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant Size TPA | 190,000 | 190,000 | Leeds Recycling and Energy recovery Facility | |
| Plant Size MWth | 51 | 51 | ||
| Plant Size MWe | 15 | 15 | ||
| Power Generated Year Total | 108,477.09 | 110,970.00 (+2%) | ||
| Power Generated kWh per tonne | 628.09 | 627.36 (-0.1%) | ||
| Power Exported Year Total | 93,775.00 | 96,859.00 (+3%) | ||
| Power Exported kWh per tonne | 542.96 | 547.59 (+0.9%) | ||
| Power Imported Year Total | 412.00 | 210.00 (-49%) | ||
| Power Imported kWh per tonne | 2.39 | 1.19 (-50%) | ||
| Parasitic Load Year Total | 0.14 | 0.13 (-7%) | ||
| Thermal Energy Exported Year Total | 32,156.60 | 43,748.00 (+36%) | ||
| Total Waste Received Year Total | 194,299.58 | 195,729.24 (+0.7%) | ||
| Total Waste Combusted Year Total | 172,710.60 | 176,883.00 (+2%) | Household / Local Authority (94.30%) | Household / Local Authority (87.83%) |
| NCV Year Total | 8.41 | 8.68 (+3%) | ||
| Permit Breaches Year Total | 2.00 | 0.00 (-100%) | ||
| Annual CO2 Mass | 165,000.00 | 165,980.61 (+0.6%) | Data from CEMS used | |
| Annual CO2 Mass Per Tonne | 0.94 | |||
| Annual CO2 Mass Per Mwh | 1.71 | |||
| Annual N2O Mass | 4.60 | 4.20 (-9%) | Data from CEMS used | |
| Total CO2 N2O | 167,093.61 | |||
| Biogenic CO2 Percentage | 0.59 | 0.64 (+8%) | C14 sampler installed, one sample sent in 2024 for identification of Biogenic carbon dioxide. Therefore percentage by waste sampling also completed. | C14 Sample analysis, 5 results achieved over 12 month period. Average calculated from data recieved |
| Biogenic Percentage NCV | 0.52 | 0.49 (-6%) | Data from waste sampling conducted each quarter. | |
| Biogenic Percentage Mass | 0.58 | 0.59 (+2%) | Data from waste sampling conducted each quarter. | |
Entry on WikiWaste:
https://wikiwaste.org.uk/index.php/Leeds_Recycling_%26_ERF_(Cross_Green_ERF)Annual Performance Report files:
233-AnnualPerformanceReport-2018.pdf233-AnnualPerformanceReport-2019.pdf
233-AnnualPerformanceReport-2020.xlsm
233-AnnualPerformanceReport-2021.xlsm
233-AnnualPerformanceReport-2022.xlsm
233-AnnualPerformanceReport-2023.xlsm
233-AnnualPerformanceReport-2024.xlsm
233-AnnualPerformanceReport-2025.xlsm
Permit Variation files:
233-PermitVariation-2022.pdfPermit Variation Decision files:
233-PermitVariationDecision-2022.pdfEnvironment Agency Compliance Assessment Reports
View compliance documents for this incineratorView the full UKWIN incinerator compliance index
Historic permit-related documents
See historic documents relating to permit GP3334CXStandard notice:
UKWIN (and therefore the UKWIN map) focuses on Municipal Waste Incinerators, whereas our colleagues at Biofuelwatch focus on biomass projects. If you are interested in biomass incinerators (including waste wood plants) over 20MW then please see the Biofuelwatch map of UK Biomass Power Stations. Those concerned about biomass plants, including waste wood plants, should email Biofuelwatch at biofuelwatch[at]gmail.com.Please be aware: There is always room for improvement, so please send updates to coordinator@ukwin.org.uk. Existing Incinerator means a facility that is operational or under construction/commissioning. A Potential Incinerator is a facility where there is a proposal for an incinerator (e.g. planning application or planning consent) or other reason to believe an incinerator might be built/proposed in the future. A Prevented Incinerator is something which used to be a proposal or expected incinerator which we do not believe is currently being progressed (e.g. because the project was cancelled, planning permission refused, or years have gone by since the permission was granted without any progress) - in some cases a facility marked as prevented is being progressed without us being aware or is subsequently revived. Capacity is usually the permitted or maximum advertised capacity of the facility.