Modern trucks could cut future carbon emissions
A package of measures to improve the efficiency of bin collections is due to be considered by councillors next week.
The proposals for the joint service provided by Tonbridge and Malling and Tunbridge Wells councils would see a new fleet of trucks with the potential to switch to less polluting biofuel with lower carbon emissions.
The measures, set out in a report to Tonbridge and Malling’s communities and environment scrutiny committee, would also pave the way for replanning some collection rounds this summer to meet growing demands on the service delivered by waste contractor, Urbaser.
In May 2022, Tonbridge and Malling councillors agreed to pay Urbaser, temporary additional payments of £15,350 a month for six months to help meet higher wage costs resulting from a national shortage of HGV drivers. Next week’s report notes that pressures continue in the HGV driver market with wage settlements ‘running ahead of inflation’ and proposes the payments are extended to 31 March 2023.
The changes to the existing truck fleet would see a move away from multi-purpose vehicles to more than 40 specialist lorries dedicated to collecting general refuse, recycling or food waste. The vehicles would also be capable of running on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), offering an option to switch away from diesel at some point in the future. Under the proposals, both councils would each make a contribution of £150,000 towards the £775,000 bill for terminating leases on the current fleet.
Re-organising the truck fleet would take place in tandem with changes to collection rounds. This would help deliver more efficient use of crews and vehicles, as a response to household growth in the borough, higher volumes of recycling and expected new legislation requiring the food waste to be collected from all properties. If the changes are approved, some residents may see their bin collection day change from this summer.
Piers Montague, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Technical and Waste Services, said: ‘We’re determined to make our waste collection service both more reliable and more efficient. The changes being proposed will mean crews can focus on particular types of collection using modern, cleaner trucks and I’m confident residents will see improvements as a result. If there are changes required to anyone’s collection day, we will ensure information is communicated to those affected in good time.’
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Cabinet member for Environment, Sustainability and Carbon Reduction, Luke Everitt, said: ‘The £150,000 is part of a one-off joint payment with our waste contract partners at TMBC. Both councils are facilitating this investment in a new fleet of bin lorries to introduce new practices and efficiencies for our waste collection service. The new vehicles allow the opportunity to use HVO fuels that lower emissions and offer new opportunities to reduce the carbon footprint of waste collection rounds.’
The proposals are due to be considered by a meeting of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council’s Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee on 8 February and by the Cabinet on 14 February 2023. Both meetings start at 7.30pm and can be watched on YouTube at TMBC meetings.
Read the report to the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee