The move is part of an annual £5m investment in a greener, cleaner collection fleet, part of the company’s commitment to achieving net zero.

The first of the vehicles is now operating from its Colnbrook base, serving customers across London and the Thames Valley. The waste it collects every day goes directly to Grundon’s Lakeside Energy from Waste (EfW) facility, creating more than enough electricity to charge the vehicle ready for the next day’s collections.

A second electric waste collection vehicle at Grundon’s Bristol depot is now serving customers across the city, and a third is shortly due to start collections in Reading and Newbury from Grundon’s base at Beenham in Berkshire.

Two more electric vehicles will be based at Colnbrook and Bristol in the coming months, with further electric and alternative fuel vehicles joining the fleet as Grundon prioritises its carbon reduction agenda.

Chairman Neil Grundon said: ‘We are collecting their waste in electric vehicles, turning it into electricity via our Lakeside Energy from Waste facility and using it to power our vehicles ready for their next collections. It is a perfect example of the circular economy in action and we believe it is the first time any waste company has delivered such an innovative and forward-thinking programme.

‘This is better for our customers, for our drivers and for the planet. We see that as a very powerful message and a tangible demonstration of what can be achieved as we continue to invest further in electrifying our fleet.’

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