A fleet of waste collection vehicles across Winchester have switched to greener fuel from diesel.

The entire group of 20 BIFFA-operated waste and recycling vehicles are now fuelled by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in efforts to make bin collections in the city environmentally friendly.

The switch is expected to reduce carbon emissions by at least 80 per cent, a saving of over 600 tonnes of carbon each year.

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Kelsie Learney with Martin TodKelsie Learney with Martin Tod (Image: Winchester City Council)

Suppliers used for the HVO fuel are all compliant with the requirements of the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) and the Zemo Partnership Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme (RFAS).

Alongside waste collection vehicles, Winchester City Council's Park and Ride service, operated by Stagecoach, also uses HVO, which lowers carbon emissions and helps improve air quality in the city.

Cllr Kelsie Learney, cabinet member for the climate emergency at the council, said: "Reducing transport emissions is one of our priorities in helping us become a carbon neutral district.

"HVO reduces the city council’s carbon emissions significantly and allows us to be greener faster.

"It’s a big step towards carbon zero before improvements to the local electric infrastructure allow us to power a full electric fleet."

Anthony Holley, Biffa’s fleet and facilities director, said: "The successful adoption of HVO at Winchester means we continue to grow our net zero fleet as part of wider plans to decarbonise our operations.

"By next year, our target is for 10% of our vehicles to be alternatively fuelled, and our ambition by 2030 is that we will stop buying fossil fuel vehicles altogether."