VANCOUVER, B.C. — Waste Management has teamed up with Terasen Gas to deploy 20 new “clean air” trucks to collect commercial recycling, food waste and garbage throughout the Lower Mainland and Metro Vancouver area.

The new trucks are part of a larger, long-term initiative to convert Waste Management’s entire Lower Mainland and Metro Vancouver fleet – 100 recycling and waste collection trucks in all – to compressed natural gas (CNG).

The trucks are powered by clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG) and are designed for a smaller carbon footprint, by producing nearly zero air particulate and 23% fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Officials say the engines also run quieter than traditional diesel engines, resulting in quieter trucks and less noise in Vancouver’s urban core.

“This initiative is all about clean air for the Lower Mainland and Metro Vancouver,” said Dean Kattler, vice-president for Waste Management, B.C. and Pacific Northwest. “Transitioning to clean air trucks to serve Lower Mainland communities and businesses shows Waste Management is listening to our customers and championing B.C.’s bid to sustain its position as a world-class sustainability leader.”

A contribution from Terasen Gas helped offset the incremental cost of the clean air trucks. Terasen, which recently announced it will be renamed and operate under the brand name FortisBC, just completed construction of a state-of-the art CNG fueling station at the Waste Management site at Coquitlam, where the trucks will fuel up.    

“With significantly lower emissions and lower fuel costs, natural gas vehicles have a role in helping BC meet its environmental goals,” said Doug Stout, vice-president of energy solutions and external relations at Terasen Gas and FortisBC. “Our collaboration with Waste Management is an excellent opportunity to showcase the technology in the region where it is developed and encourage greater adoption of natural gas for transportation.”

Waste Management operates the largest fleet of clean air CNG recycling and waste trucks in North America. Officials say the company is currently working to achieve a sustainability goal of reducing fleet emissions by 15% and increasing fuel efficiency by 15% by 2020.