Council trials vegetable oil for refuse lorries

A COUNCIL is looking to become more environmentally friendly by running two of its refuse vehicles on hydrotreated vegetable oil.

has partnered with Crown Oil for the trial as part of its climate emergency declaration and pledge to make operations carbon neutral by 2030. BCP Council

The fuel is created by collecting waste cooking oil and putting it through a hydrotreatment process before reusing it in diesel vehicles, rather than disposing in landfill or as hazardous waste.

, cleansing and waste, Cllr Mark Anderson, said: “This is an important trial that helps us work towards the government’s waste strategy pledge to eliminate food waste to landfill by 2030, by reusing cooking oil waste and converting it into an alternative, environmentally friendly fuel in our vehicles.”environmentThe council’s cabinet member for

Cllr Mike Greene, the cabinet member for transport and sustainability, added: “This partnership with Crown Oil provides us with the opportunity to explore the environmental benefits and operational impact of this alternative fuel within a large municipal fleet.

“If successful, it could be the benchmark for our transition to a cleaner, greener fleet.”

The trial, which will last one year, will deliver a carbon dioxide saving of around 40 metric tonnes per vehicle – equivalent to 11 hot air balloons of carbon dioxide.

Simon Lawford, technical manager at Crown Oil, said: “Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) can be put directly into the vehicles, with no need for adaptations and is expected to perform faultlessly.

“The proven benefits of using HVO are plentiful, including year-round usability, up to a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a direct drop-in functionality for the council’s existing fleet to use, making it a complete replacement for diesel.

“We are thrilled that HVO’s environmental and logistical credentials are being increasingly noted and we hope that other councils will follow in BCP Council’s green footsteps.”