Hounslow residents can look forward to greener, cleaner and more efficient waste and recycling services as the Council’s refuse collection vehicles now run on a new low-emission fuel.
The fleet now operates on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel, a renewable fuel sustainably sourced and derived from used cooking oil that significantly lowers emissions compared to regular diesel.
This means less pollution and a meaningful step toward a more sustainable Hounslow.
This rollout follows the Council’s pledge in March 2025 to reduce emissions from its diesel-powered refuse collection fleet, as part of its Climate Emergency Plan. Hounslow joins a growing number of local authorities transitioning their fleets to cleaner fuels. The move ensures Hounslow remains at the forefront of sustainable service delivery in London.
Councillor Shivraj Grewal, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Recycling and Transformation, said:
We are proud to be delivering on our promise to invest in a cleaner, more modern refuse collection fleet. This marks a real step forward in both improving the service for residents and reducing harmful emissions from Council operations.
The full investment will see 50 new vehicles introduced between now and 2028, ensuring services are future-ready with capacity to adapt to changes in recycling demands and population growth.
Councillor Katherine Dunne, Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Transport, added:
This milestone marks not only a greener future for Hounslow, but also demonstrates how local government can lead the way in environmental innovation. Switching to more environmentally friendly fuels will improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions caused by council operations, helping us deliver on our ambition to make Hounslow greener, cleaner and healthier for everyone.
