New electric bin lorry trialled in Denbighshire in bid to reduce carbon emissions

Denbighshire residents have had their bins emptied by an electric bin lorry for the first time.

Denbighshire County Council’s waste and recycling team has been trialling the new waste collection vehicle in Rhyl, Prestatyn and Ruthin.

The piloting of the Dennis Eagle e-Collect model is part of the authority’s work to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment.

Cllr Brian Jones, lead member for waste, transport and the environment, said: “The council is serious about tackling the climate and ecological change emergency.

“As part of that work we are asking residents to recycle as much of their waste as possible and we must also reduce the carbon emissions generated through collecting our waste, and keep pace with the new developments in technology.

“The waste collection crews involved in the trial have been very positive about the electric vehicle and are confident it is up to the job.

“The trial has shown plenty of battery capacity left at the end of shifts and without exhaust fumes and a reduction in noise, the vehicle is safer and more comfortable to operate for staff.”

The council will use evidence from the trial to determine how many electric vehicles it could introduce to its fleet in the next two years, as its existing lorries comes up for replacement.

The authority will assess which areas of the county can be serviced by the model as a range of vehicle sizes are currently used.

The council’s new waste depot development in Denbigh, due to be completed in 2022, is being designed to accommodate electric vehicles, as well as other low emission vehicles.