The use of a carbon cutting fuel in waste collection vehicles has made emptying bins across Wychavon a much greener job.

The environmental boost comes thanks to the use of a new vegetable oil-based fuel in bin collections.

Six household waste and recycling collection vehicles and two commercial waste vehicles are now powered by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), which is a fuel that can cut carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to regular diesel.

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This green shift marks the initial stage of an investment scheme by the council, derived to help its waste and recycling partner firm, FCC Environment, transition their vehicle fleet from diesel to HVO.

Over the next two years, the council will invest a total of £270,000 to support this transition, which also includes the street sweeping vehicles.

The council expects this move to effectively reduce the carbon footprint of its waste and recycling operations until electric vehicles (EV) can be put to viable use.

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Simultaneously, tests continue on electric refuse collection vehicles (e-RCVs), which have recently undergone a second trial in the south of the district.

The trial, however, was hampered by the size of the EVs and short battery life and deemed unsuccessful.

Despite these challenges, future tests on other potential EVs have not been overruled.

Transitioning to a decarbonised waste and recycling scheme is a part of Wychavon's Intelligently Green Plan, a strategic move aimed at reducing the council's carbon emissions by 75% by 2030.

Cllr Beverley Hardman, executive board member for boosting natural capital on Wychavon District Council, said: "It’s fantastic news that through the use of HVO we have started to cut the carbon emissions of our waste and recycling collections and I look forward to us being able to reduce these emissions further when more of the fleet moves on to the alternative fuel.

“Using e-RCVs in such a rural area poses many challenges.

"But with every trial we take part in our contractor FCC Environment is learning and developing their knowledge in this area and as technology improves, I am hopeful we will see e-RCVs on the streets of Wychavon permanently before too long.”