CHARGING

Biffa has launched 27 brand-new zero emission electric refuse collection vehicles (eRCVs) on the streets of Manchester today (8 March), in partnership with Manchester City Council which is investing £10m in the initiative.

The move is part of Biffa’s sustainability strategy, dubbed ‘Resourceful and Responsible’ which includes a commitment to tackling climate change and a pledge to cease buying fossil-fuelled vehicles by 2030.

Manchester City Council is one of the first local authorities to transform its fleet with electric refuse collection vehicles following two years of successful trials with Biffa, as part of a strategy to halve its direct emissions by 2025, and to make Manchester carbon free by 2038.

Biffa has already reduced its CO2 emissions by 65% since 2002 and is targeting a further 50% reduction by 2030.

The fleet replacement programme, along with more efficient collection routes, reducing the amount of waste to landfill and increased investment in recycling are key parts of its plan to meet its 2030 target.

Michael Topham, Biffa chief executive, commented: "We are delighted to be launching the UK’s largest ever fleet of electric refuse collection vehicles and supporting one of the UK’s top cities to become even greener.

“Biffa has a longstanding partnership with Manchester City Council, and we are committed to helping the city to halve its direct emissions by 2025.

“We are confident this is just the start and we will see many more electric vehicles in action across the country in coming years.”

Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar, executive member for neighbourhoods, said: “We’re proud that Manchester City Council, working with Biffa, has made the most significant investment of any council in emission-free refuse collection vehicles and that the waste and recycling service is playing its part in binning pollution.”

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