A new fleet of 17 Mercedes-Benz refuse trucks has been bought by Aylesbury Vale District Council in Buckinghamshire.

The 26-tonne Econic 2630 models have rear-steer axles for enhanced manoeuvrability and are being fitted with FAUN Zoeller Variopress 2 compactor bodies and bin lifts.


Aylesbury Vale District Council is responsible for the mainly rural northern half of Buckinghamshire, an area that includes the county town of Aylesbury as well as Buckingham and Winslow. The low-entry Econics are its first Mercedes-Benz trucks and offer better performance, improved fuel economy and greater safety than the leased vehicles they are replacing.


Local residents and businesses already recycle 54% of their waste ' well above the national average ' but council officers are confident that the introduction of a new collection regime this year will help them to increase recycling rates and enable them to cope with increased demand resulting from a major programme of housebuilding.


The outgoing trucks had split bodies, with a pod at the front used for food waste, and the remaining carrying capacity allocated to general waste or recyclables. Under the new regime, however, the Econics will collect one waste stream at a time, allowing the authority to maximise payloads.


Most of Aylesbury Vale's new trucks are being fitted with Rotary XL lifts and will be assigned to residential routes. However, three will have heavy-duty Omega trade lifts, for commercial waste collections.


Food waste will now be collected by five FUSO Canter 7.5-tonners which the council already owns and a further four which it has just acquired.


Transport manager David Clark said: 'We tried and tested products by from different suppliers and invited driver feedback.


'The FAUN Zoeller demonstrator was on an Econic and was particularly well received. The chassis and body were neatly styled and looked right together. We liked the robust but lightweight bin lifter, while the air-conditioned Econic cab, with its folding, bus-style passenger door, is easily accessed and contributes to safety by offering excellent visibility'


Councillor Sir Beville Stanier, Aylesbury Vale District Council's Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste, said: 'The Recycling and Waste Team led a very competitive procurement process to ensure AVDC obtained the best value for our residents and purchased equipment fit for purpose.


'This investment in a new fleet of refuse lorries is evidence of our goal to make Aylesbury a cleaner and greener borough. The delivery of these vehicles marks the start of a programme of improvements to our waste services that will ultimately deliver improved waste and recycling services for Aylesbury's residents and businesses'