eCollect goes into service in rural Powys

4/19/2021 5:01:00 PM
The first eCollect eRCV has gone into service collecting residual waste from households across Powys – one of the largest and most sparsely populated counties in the UK.

The vehicle is initially operating from Powys County Council’s Brecon depot in the south of the county. But it will, in the future, be operating from other depots, including the new North Powys Bulking Facility at Abermule near Newtown.

The new facility has already had charging points installed to accommodate the eRCV and the council plans to install further charge points in both its Rhayader and Brecon depots, enabling the eRCV to cover rounds throughout Powys.

“The introduction of the eCollect into our fleet of waste and recycling vehicles is another milestone in the council’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions,” said Nigel Brinn, Powys County Council’s Corporate Director for Economy and Environment.

Photo: Left to Right -; Daniel Vaughan, Waste and Recycling Supervisor, Matt Perry, Head of Highways, Transport and Recycling; Ashley Collins, Senior Manager, Waste and Recycling; and Tony Lloyd, Waste and Recycling Foreman

 

“This vehicle will reduce carbon emissions by approximately 25-35 tonnes per year compared to a standard, non-electric vehicle and will help us reach the authority’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2030.

“Following the introduction of electric vehicle charge points in many of the council’s car parks across the county last year, this is the start of our evolution towards an ultra-low emissions vehicle (ULEV) fleet that complements our innovative fleet of e-bikes used by our care workers.

“We already have an impressive recycling rate across the county, with some of our residual waste already going to an Energy from Waste (EfW) facility.

“With the help of our residents and communities we will be striving to increase our efforts further to meet the next Wales-wide recycling target, set by Welsh Government, in 2024-25, when we need to recycle, reuse or compost 70% of our waste. The fact that we can use a zero-emission vehicle to help us with this goal makes it all the more worthwhile.”