Veolia Southwark has purchased the four new lithium-ion battery powered forklifts to help decarbonise the borough’s recycling infrastructure.

The forklifts, which replace diesel and lead-acid battery models, will be used to transport compacted bales of waste from the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) floor into shipping containers to be transported and recycled.

The lithium-ion batteries have a lifespan of approximately eight to 10 years. When they reach the end of their optimal operational life, they will be repurposed for uses such as energy storage, before they are eventually processed at a battery recycling facility.

Matthew Crane, Regional Manager at Veolia Southwark, said: ‘Our investment in four lithium-ion clamp trucks marks a significant milestone in Veolia Southwark’s journey towards ecological transformation.

‘After years of trialling different solutions, we’ve found the perfect balance between sustainability and operational efficiency. These vehicles not only address the unique challenges of our MRF environment but also align with the carbon-neutrality goals we are working towards in partnership with Southwark Council.’

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