Food waste collection fleet begins conversion to CNG fuel

Bio Collectors, which collects food waste from within the M25, has taken delivery of seven compressed natural gas (CNG) fueled food collection vehicles that will replace trucks in its 25-strong fleet.

They will be fueled by methane gas produced by its Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant in South London, which processes up to 100,000 tonnes of food waste a year whilst generating the equivalent of 6mW of gas and 1.7mW of electricity every hour.

The by-products of the recycling of food waste already power the plant and on-site offices, as well as feeding fuel into the national grid

Unlike EVs, CNG-fueled vehicles are liable for both the congestion charge and road fuel tax but the company said EVs are not available at the payloads they require, taking all night to recharge which makes them ‘impractical and logistically impossible’.

Managing director Paul Killoughery said: ‘We welcome the introduction of ULEZ as it will improve air quality in London. Our biogas-powered vehicles will play their part in lowering emissions in London without the added implication of having to generate electricity, which may not be so clean.

‘By fueling them with the food waste we collect, we can ensure that all our services are ready for the environmental challenges of the future. Bio Collectors is closing the waste loop in London and turning food waste into a valuable and sustainable fuel.’