Grundon pioneering new electric collection vehicles powered by customer waste at Colnbrook near Slough

Grundon Waste Management said it was pioneering a new electric waste collection vehicle powered by customer waste at its Colnbrook site near Slough.

The firm's all-electric waste vehicle is now serving commercial customers across the Thames Valley and London with the waste collected going directly to Grundon's adjacent Lakeside Energy from Waste (EfW) facility at Colnbrook.

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There, enough electricity is generated to charge the vehicle ready for the next day’s collections.

Chairman Neil Grundon said: "We see this innovation as a real game-changer and an important milestone on our ongoing journey towards further helping our customers achieve their sustainability targets.

"With our EfW facility adjacent to our operation at Colnbrook, it made perfect sense to use the electricity created to directly power our vehicles.

"It is a perfect example of the circular economy in action and we believe it is the first time any waste company has delivered such an innovative and forward-thinking programme.

"This is better for our customers, for our drivers and for the planet. We see that as a very powerful message and a tangible demonstration of what can be achieved as we continue to invest further in electrifying our fleet."

The move is part of Grundon's ongoing annual £5 million investment in a greener, cleaner collection fleet as it commits to achieving net zero.

Two new electric waste collection vehicles have now been delivered across Grundon’s wider operating area, with three more due in coming months, including a second vehicle for Colnbrook, and further vehicles to follow.

A third electric collection vehicle is shortly due to start collections in Reading and Newbury from Grundon’s base in Beenham, Berkshire.

Lakeside Energy from Waste is a joint venture between Grundon Waste Management and Viridor - one of the largest resource management companies in the UK.

Using proven technology, the facility currently processes around 450,000 tonnes a year of non-recyclable waste - from a number of local authorities including Slough, Berkshire and the West London Waste Authority. It also accepts waste from Heathrow Airport and surrounding businesses.

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