MIL-OSI UK Cities: Council’s recycling vehicle gets a ‘green’ upgrade

A new recycling truck will be hitting the streets of Stoke-on-Trent this week to help improve the efficiency of the council’s recycling operation and reduce its impact on the environment.

The 44ft truck features a 130 cu yard walking floor trailer with air suspension – so it is as road friendly as it gets when loaded in terms of being kind to the highways. When it’s travelling empty, one axle lifts up to help minimise road wear.

With a load carrying capacity up to 22,000kgs, more recyclable cardboard and plastic can be collected per journey than ever before, reducing the need for return trips to the depot to unload.

Councillor Carl Edwards, cabinet member for housing and environment, said: ”Not only will the new vehicle collect tonnes of extra recycling each year, it’ll also be saving the taxpayer around £70k per year, by transporting garden waste, paper and plastics which is currently moved by contractors.

I’d just like to remind residents of the importance of disposing of waste properly. At the moment, contamination from things mistakenly put in blue bins, like carrier bags, nappies or food waste, results in material which could otherwise have been recycled having to be disposed of. I’d ask everyone to do their bit for the city and the planet by making sure they only put the right things in their recycling bins and if in doubt, leave it out.”

The new vehicle also complies with Euro 6 standards – the latest regulations set by the European Union to help reduce the level of harmful pollutants produced by new vehicles – and forms part of a wider plan to deliver a more efficient waste and recycling collection service.

Stoke-on-Trent design, print and signage specialists Graphix has worked with the council to produce eyecatching livery for the vehicle – Steve Ward, Managing Director at Graphix, said: “it’s great to work in our home town on something that every resident in the city has the potential to see. And my team take great pride when they see their handiwork around the streets of Stoke-on-Trent.”

Of course, at this time of year, residents are more likely to produce extra waste – but many Christmas related products can be recycled. Most cards are paper based and can be recycled in the blue wheeled bins (no glitter please) along with cardboard boxes. But due to the make-up of wrapping paper and the amount of sticky tape and embellishments that cause problems at recycling plants, residents are asked to dispose of wrapping paper in their grey bin.

Real Christmas trees can be recycled at Hanford Household Waste Recycling Centre. 

Ends

For all media enquiries only please contact the Communications team at Stoke-on-Trent City Council on 01782 232042.

www.stoke.gov.uk/news

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