Veolia has secured an eight-year extension to its recycling and waste contract with Camden Council starting from April 2025, which will see it introduce 14 new electric refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) and three electric bikes.
The deal will see Veolia deliver recycling and waste collections for both households and commercial businesses as well as street cleansing operations across the borough, including Bloomsbury, Camden Town, King’s Cross and Hampstead.
Camden Council, in partnership with Veolia, will be introducing an electric fleet including 14 new electric RCVs, with the first 10 of these displayed at the Chalton Street Sustainable Market event last week.
Infrastructure will be developed at Veolia’s Alperton depot, where the vehicles are housed, to facilitate an expansion of the electric fleet in the future.
The move to electric vehicles aims to deliver cleaner and quieter collection services, and improve air quality by reducing nitrogen oxide (NOX) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions across the borough.
Recycling and waste collection routes have been updated to maximise the efficiency of the service and further reduce emissions. This includes garden waste rounds, with collection routes altered to cover one geographical zone each day, limiting the distance travelled and reducing fuel consumption.
Street cleansing services have also seen increased investment from Camden Council, with three Electric Assisted Vehicle bikes introduced to deliver more efficient operations in narrow urban streets and pedestrianised areas of the borough.
Additional street cleansing teams and new pavement scrubbers add to these improvements, alongside a new night service in the busier parts of the borough to help keep the streets cleaner for longer.
Pascal Hauret, Veolia MD for municipal, said: “I am very pleased to continue our partnership with Camden Council, building on our successful track record of delivering essential recycling and waste collection and street cleansing services in the borough.
“This contract extension demonstrates our shared commitment to innovation and ecological transformation, particularly through the introduction of electric vehicles and the focus on improving operational efficiency.
“Together, we’re making significant strides in improving air quality across the borough and supporting Camden’s journey towards carbon neutrality by 2030.’’
Cllr Adam Harrison, Cabinet Member for Planning and a Sustainable Camden and Deputy Leader, said: “We are investing an extra £1m in street cleaning and collections, including jet-washing pavements, beefed-up collection rounds and extra sweepers on our streets.
“Alongside this we are also working with Veolia to further invest in electric collection vehicles and bikes, to create a healthier, more vibrant Camden for residents, businesses and visitors while doing everything we can to reach net zero emissions in the borough by 2030.”
Pictured left to right: Camden Council leader Cllr Richard Olszewski, Deputy Mayor of London for environment and energy Mete Coban MBE and Veolia Camden’s senior contract manager Victor Evans.
