01.09.23 – HVO Trial at Staffordshire WRC’s, ‘From Harm to Hope’
Written by Hitmix Local News on 31 August 2023
Staffordshire’s Household Waste Recycling service is trialling the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) to fuel its site diggers and fleet vehicles.
The six-week trial, at the Cannock HWRC is exploring the potential of HVO as an eco-friendly fuel source, to help the authority reduce its carbon emissions.
HVO is made from a 100% renewable source and generates around 90% less carbon emissions than traditional diesel fuel.
Should the trial prove successful, the new low carbon fuel could be used in other vehicles across the authorities 14 sites.
Simon Tagg, Cabinet Member for Environment, infrastructure, and climate change at Staffordshire County Council said: “Bringing our Household Waste Recycling Centres back in house in 2022 has given us a great opportunity to explore more sustainable options. Switching vehicles to a greener fuel source has always been an ambition for the team and we’re looking forward to the trial and more importantly the results.
“Information on the compatibility of these engines with HVO is limited, and there’s no guarantee it will fully work but we’re excited about the potential. We’ve been working closely with our contractors Biffa on the trial and customers shouldn’t notice any difference to the service.”
Dan Sheppard, Regional General Manager at Biffa said: “We are delighted to be building on our fantastic partnership with Staffordshire County Council on this trial which supports their net-zero goals and aligns with our extensive drive to deliver alternative, sustainable fuel solutions to our customers.”
Site operative, Guy Jones from Cannock HWRC talks about the HVO trial in this short video.
Further details on the HWRC services are available on the Staffordshire HWRC’s webpage.
Photo caption: Recycling Operative Guy Jones from Cannock Recycling Centre
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Staffordshire Police have charged more than 500 suspects with drug related offences in the last year as they continue to proactively target supply across Staffordshire.
On Monday (28 August), ministers wrote to Chief Constables across the UK as part of a series of announcements for policing nationally – including investigations, neighbourhood policing and drug crime.
The plans form part of the government’s ten-year drug strategy, ‘From Harm to Hope’, which covers issues around supply and demand, treatment, recovery and enforcement.
Alongside their neighbouring forces, Staffordshire Police launched ‘Op Target’ in June to proactively target serious and organised crime in Staffordshire. In the last 12-months, more than 500 suspects have been charged with drug related offences and carried out more than 2,500 stop-and-searches.
In the last 12-months, we have:
- Increased the number of positive outcomes from the previous year by one per cent
- Charged 553 suspects with drug related offences in Staffordshire
- Issued 468 community resolution notices relating to drug crime
- Increased the number of stop-and-searches from the previous year: from 2,374 to 2,520
Assistant Chief Constable Becky Riggs said: “Police forces across the county know the danger posed by harmful drugs and continue to work with local partners to stop those responsible and support those affected by addiction and exploitation.
“It’s pleasing to see that proactivity in this area is increasing and more positive outcomes are being achieved – which is only made possible through visible patrols, engagement with local communities and close partnership working with support agencies.
“We know that drug use is linked to violent offending and acquisitive crime. Those who test positive on police contact are referred to a specialist drug treatment programme to address their drug use and to break this cycle of offending. Work is also continuing as part of the local violence reduction alliance (VRA) to identify these root causes across important partners.”
“It’s crucial moving forward that we continue to work closely with all of the partners involved, including health, education and social care to help those affected by misuse and to continue targeting those supplying them.”
To read more about our Op Target commitment, visit: Major operation to target serious organised crime launched | Staffordshire Police
