Upcycling For Cleaner Air

Our Smarter Recycling programme has already directly reduced the waste vehicle trips in the area by approximately 53%, which has resulted in a reduction of harmful emissions, Particulate Matter and Nitrogen Dioxide, in the air that we breathe by an average of 60%. Now, as part of Westminster City Council’s long-term plan to improve air quality, Veolia, is trialling two electric Refuse Collection Vehicles (eRCV) on our streets.

The two 26 tonne collection vehicles previously ran on diesel and were reaching the end of their life. Instead of scrapping them, Veolia and Westminster City Council, one of our Smarter Recycling partners, have ‘upcycled’ them to ‘as-new condition’ with new electric engines that will improve air quality further still and exceed the requirements of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone in central London.

The vehicles have been cleverly engineered to solve the industry-wide challenge of eRCV battery life. The electric engine will only release power when the vehicle is active, rather than running continuously, as is required by diesel models.

The vehicles will make daily recycling and refuse collections cleaner and greener, and accelerate the transition to zero-emission heavy goods vehicles in central London.
For more information about our Smarter Recycling programme and Westminster City Council’s Air Quality Action Plan.