17/07/2024 (Bracknell Forest Council) - In a significant move towards sustainability, the council’s Executive has approved to trial hydro treated vegetable oil as fuel for a waste collection vehicle.

Hydro treated vegetable oil, produced from used cooking oils, is a more sustainable option to diesel. It is set to reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 90% when compared to diesel. The treated oil is a ‘drop in’ fuel, meaning there are no changes needed to the trial vehicle for it to be used.

The trial will last at least 12 months and is due to start in autumn this year. This will allow the council to compare the impacts on costs and emissions when compared to using diesel.

Hydro treated vegetable oil is in demand and so there could be a risk of supply issues. This can be solved by the ability to switch back to diesel if we need to.

Cllr Helen Purnell, executive member for environment, community and housing, said:

“Trialing hydro treated vegetable oil is a major step towards making our waste collection vehicles more sustainable.

“We will use the 12-month trial period to monitor how well the oil alternative works, and the costs and benefits it has over diesel.”

https://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news/2024/07/cooking-oil-waste-truck-fuel