The carbon footprint of electricity, gas and fuel consumed by Dover’s recycling, waste and street cleansing operations has dropped by 7.5% when comparing 2022 to 2020.

Specifically, consumption was reduced by 10.5% for electricity, 10.2% for gas and 7.5% for fuel.

Veolia has been providing waste and recycling collections, food waste, and street cleaning in the Folkestone & Hythe and Dover areas since 2011 and was awarded an eight-year contract in January 2021.

Since the start of the new contract, Veolia has implemented a number of carbon reduction initiatives. This has included launching a new green fleet of vehicles and electric sweepers, and redesigned collection routes to minimise travel times. Other measures include smart LED lighting, vehicles with new electric bin lifts and an anti-idling campaign.

David Fitzgerald, general manager – municipal south east at Veolia, said: ‘These positive results demonstrate Veolia’s commitment to supporting our partner Dover District Council in achieving net zero carbon emissions.

‘The carbon footprint reduction will have a positive impact on the environment as well as local communities and we will continue to invest in methods and technologies that create a better and more sustainable future for all.’

Cllr Nicholas Kenton, Dover District Council cabinet member for Environment said: ‘We are very pleased that Veolia's decarbonisation measures, which this council stipulated as part of the contract, seem to be paying off. We are fully committed to our net zero carbon emissions target and its great news that Veolia is supporting us in this way.’