Member Article

Recycling firm invests £2million in green upgrade to vehicle fleet

Derbyshire-based metal and waste recycling specialist, Ward, has invested over £2million in upgrading its materials handling vehicles to improve energy efficiency and safety across its 120 strong fleet.

The investment includes 21 new vehicles consisting of roll on/offs, skip and tipper lorries, articulated lorries, numerous trailers and four 8 wheelers designed specifically for Ward Special projects for supporting demolition and construction contractors nationwide. All vehicles are 21’ plate and ordered through local DAF, Volvo and Scania main dealers, part of Ward’s continuous improvement upgrades.

Donald Ward, Operations Director at Ward said: “This is another significant investment and commitment to our ongoing sustainability strategy. We continually review our fleet, moving out older vehicles and bringing in more efficient replacements.”

“All these new vehicles have been specifically chosen for fuel economy and safety. We’ve been reviewing miles per gallon achieved by our fleet and each new vehicle has been specified to be as energy efficient as possible, in line with our green motoring policy as part of our sustainability road map to 2030.”

The new vehicles have various green features to reduce energy consumption, including higher wind deflectors to ensure the vehicles are as streamlined and aerodynamic as possible, technology to offer active feedback to drivers to improve driver behaviour and all engines are the latest Euro 6 specification. For safety, all are fitted with live 360-degree cameras and cycle safe systems. Plus, all are set up to meet the criteria for driving in and working within central London.

Ward has worked with local providers to brand the trucks with Ward and Ward Special projects livery. The first delivery was received in mid March and will continue into summer.

As a multi-award winning, independent fourth generation family business, Ward has achieved silver accreditation as part of the voluntary code of practice the Fleet Operators Recognition Scheme (FORS). It continues to make significant investments across its business operations to uphold best practice standards of safety and sustainability and to be at the forefront of the bulk metal recycling and waste industry.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ward .