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Waste Management brings CNG powered trucks to Vancouver

Sustainability initiative involves partnership between WM and Terasen Gas

As of the end of February, Waste Management , in collaboration with Terasen Gas / Fortis BC, has deployed 20 new “clean air” trucks in the lower mainland and Metro Vancouver area, which will collect commercial recycling, food waste and garbage.   

According to Waste Management the new trucks are part of a larger, long-term initiative to convert the company’s entire Lower Mainland and Metro Vancouver fleet - 100 recycling and waste collection trucks in all - to compressed natural gas (CNG).   

The company also says the new trucks powered by clean-burning CNG will deliver distinct environmental benefits for the  Lower Mainland, including a smaller carbon footprint. nearly zero air particulate and 23 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions. The CNG engines will also run quieter than traditional diesel engines, resulting in quieter trucks and less noise in Vancouver’s urban core.  

“With significantly lower emissions and lower fuel costs, natural gas vehicles have a role in helping BC meet its environmental goals,” said Doug Stout, vice president, Energy Solutions and External Relations at Terasen Gas and FortisBC.   

“Our collaboration with Waste Management is an excellent opportunity to showcase the technology in the region where it is developed and encourage greater adoption of natural gas for transportation.”  

Waste Management currently operates the largest fleet of clean air CNG recycling and waste trucks in North America. The company says that deploying the new CNG fleet in Vancouver will help WM achieve its sustainability goal of reducing fleet emissions by 15 percent and increasing fuel efficiency by 15 percent by 2020.