Hinckley & Bosworth borough council has purchased nine new Dennis Eagle refuse collection vehicles to help it move from a source-separated kerbside recycling service to a twin-stream model.
The nine new vehicles, which are being supplied and maintained by vehicle and plant hire firm Specialist Fleet Services (SFS), will be colour-coded according to their load. Green vehicles will collect green waste, blue trucks will collect dry recyclables and white vehicles will collect refuse.
Commenting on the new service, Mike Brymer, chief officer at Hinckley & Bosworth borough council, said: “We went out and asked local people what kind of service they wanted and we listened to what they said.
“Residents want less containers and more choice so we're moving from a source segregated service to a new dual stream collection.”
Under the new twin system, residents can recycle all plastics packaging, drinks cartons, foil, aerosols and cartons in their blue recycling boxes and cardboard, paper and newspapers in their yellow bag. Previously cardboard was collected in a separate bag to other fibrous material.
Also under the new system, residents can recycle garden waste in their brown bin and have the option to recycle clothes and shoes in a pink bag and household batteries in self-provided carrier bags. The council collects recyclable material on alternate weeks to residual waste.
SFS
Hinckley & Bosworth has been working with SFS since 2005 and the firm said it was “delighted” to have been offered the opportunity for further work with the council.
Bob Sweetland, managing director of SFS, said:”As part of the contract we have installed a new ‘bells and whistles' fleet management system, to ensure all the vehicles are fully compliant, serviced and well maintained at all times, as well as providing additional features such as fuel usage monitoring.”
The contract marks the first time that the local authority has opted to use vehicles from manufacturer Dennis Eagle. It has opted for eight Olympus OL19 Narrow on Elite 2 6×2 Chassis with Terberg Omni-Del Xtra bin lift and one Dennis Twin Pack 50/50 on Elite 6×4 Chassis with Terberg bin lift. The contract also includes street cleansing and general purpose vehicles.
Commenting on the vehicles, Richard Taylor, head of sales and marketing at Dennis Eagle, said: “We're very excited to be providing vehicles to Hinckley & Bosworth, our neighbouring authority, and to be continuing our partnership with SFS.”
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