Council adopts greener fuel to power bin collections
A DISTRICT council will take another step towards its carbon neutrality goals this month when most of its kerbside waste and recycling trucks swap diesel for a lowcarbon biofuel.
With carbon emissions up to 98% lower than diesel, according to government conversion figures, the move to hydrogenated vegetable oil will make the air in Hart cleaner and the district council’s waste and recycling collections more environmentally-friendly.
The local authority said it is estimated this change will cut more than 500 tonnes of emissions from its current carbon footprint, adding that following a successful trial, the roll-out is “an important milestone in the council’s work to tackle the climate emergency by becoming a carbon neutral authority by 2035, and district by 2040”. The waste and recycling trucks cover the whole district, emptying approximately 70,000 bins each week.
Alongside the swap to biofuel, Serco, which runs local waste and recycling services on behalf of the district council, has also started trialling a zero-emission electric bin truck for its kerbside collections.
Covering parts of Hart during a six-week pilot scheme, the truck, supplied by VEV and RVS, was powered by diesel prior to being refurbished and recycled into a more environmentally-friendly vehicle.
Refurbishing an existing truck results in a lower manufacturing carbon footprint compared to building a new electric vehicle from scratch. The trial will provide important information on the district council’s drive to continue reducing its impact on the environment in support of its climate emergency, declared in April 2021.
Cllr Richard Quarterman, portfolio holder for climate change and corporate services, said: “I am delighted we have been able to deliver this significant positive step for carbon reduction in one of our key services.
“Finding ways to reduce carbon emissions across all our services is central to our activities and we are determined to push forward with actions that will help us achieve our goal of becoming a carbon neutral council by 2035.
“The trial of a zero-emission electric bin truck offers an option to explore the viability of these vehicles in the future.”
More information about the council’s action on climate change can be found at www.hart.gov.uk/environment/climate-change