Trash Trucks Make the Switch to Clean-Burning CNG Fuel

Waste management operators in Florida, New Jersey, Idaho and California have opened compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel stations to support the deployment of their CNG trash collection truck fleets. CNG trash trucks cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 23 percent compared to diesel-powered models, according to natural gas provider Clean Energy Fuels Corp. The cities of North Little Rock, Arkansas, and Ogden, Utah, are also switching to CNG garbage trucks to cut fuel costs and reduce emissions.

The new CNG stations were designed and built by Clean Energy Fuels for Choice Environmental Services, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Central Jersey Waste, Hamilton Township, N.J.; Allied Waste Services, Boise, Idaho; and South County Sanitary Company, San Luis Obispo, Calif.

The Choice Environmental Services CNG station supports South Florida’s first privately owned fleet of natural gas trash trucks. Similarly, Central Jersey Waste and Recycling has become the first refuse company in New Jersey to convert a portion of its truck fleet operations to natural gas fuel and is building a private CNG truck fueling station at its Trenton location.

Allied Waste Services is providing the first CNG fuel station with public access in Idaho, which will open in early in 2010.

South County Sanitary has opened its first private Clean Energy CNG fueling station to support its own CNG truck fleet. The waste management company plans to transition its entire refuse fleet to natural gas power.

Similarly, the city of North Little Rock is converting four of its highest-polluting vehicles — three trash trucks and one street sweeper — to CNG, reports Arkansas News. The city hopes to convert its entire public works fleet to CNG because it’s a clean-burning fuel and there is plenty of supply and production in Arkansas, reports the local newspaper.

The city expects to receive a $207,000 state grant to help pay for the conversions and a new CNG fueling station, which would also sell to the public, according to the article. City officials hope a public CNG station will lead to increased demand across the state.

The city of Ogden, Utah, has also replaced 10 garbage trucks that run on diesel fuel with CNG vehicles, to reduce fuel costs and to protect the environment, reports the Standard-Examiner.

A city official expects the CNG trucks will save about $89,000 annually at current fuel prices, and reduce vehicle emissions and particulate matter in the air, reports the newspaper.