Clare Waste Collection Firm Aiming To Power Bin Lorries Using Decomposing Food Waste

A Clare-based waste collection firm is aiming to become the first in Ireland to power its fleet of trucks using the gas produced by the food waste they’re collecting.

Clean Recycling Ireland, which began in Cree and now has a major recycling centre in Shannon, has already branched into Compressed Natural Gas as they move away from diesel powered vehicles.

Clare FM’s James Mulhall reports:

CONTINUE READING BELOW

Clean Ireland Recycling’s CNG refilling station is the first of its kind in Ireland and sees natural gas, like the household fuel, compressed and used to power their trucks.

This marks a 22 percent reduction in each of their bin lorries’ carbon dioxide emissions.

But that’s only the beginning of their ambitious plans to reduce their carbon footprint – the long-term aim is to use a bio-gas produced by decomposing food waste to power the fleet.

General Manager of the firm Brian Lyons says that’s not too far off.

Their current venture is done in conjunction with Gas Networks Ireland, who have installed the gas filling station at their Smithstown Industrial Estate, Shannon site.

They say it was a major operation to carry out but now that the first has been put in place, they’re confident it can become an easier job.

But Gas Networks Ireland’s Commercial Operations Manager Daniel Fitzpatrick says the chances of seeing domestic vehicles powered in this way are slim.

Meanwhile, Environment Minister Denis Naughten has hailed the move by Clean Ireland Recycling as a landmark moment for the industry.

He expects to see a very different landscape in this country in a decade’s time.