Eco refuse lorries could save on fuel costs

New bin lorries could help reduce fuel consumption by up to 20 per cent

Residents of the borough will soon see ten new environmentally friendly vehicles collecting their refuse.

Bin lifts fitted to the back of the vehicles used to be powered by the vehicle’s engine so burnt fuel even when stationary, but the new models are powered electrically so it is estimated this could save 15 to 20 per cent on fuel consumption, as well as producing fewer carbon dioxide emissions.

As engines won’t need to run all the time the vehicles will also be less noisy, producing less than 57 dB 9A) of noise in operation, meaning a better night’s sleep and no early wake-up call for residents.

The back is also fitted with a sonar sensor anti-spillage system which detects waste that has not been fully tipped from bins and sets off an automatic shake until it has been dislodged.

Councillor Jacqui Beswick, Rochdale Borough Council Cabinet Member for Place and Regulation, said: “It’s great that the council is trying to look after the environment by utilising this newer fuel-saving technology.”