Newham Council is set to purchase six new refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) specifically designed for food waste collection, following a decision made on Monday, 8 September 2025.
The move aims to support the council's obligations under the Environment Act 2021, which mandates weekly food waste collections for all local authorities by 1 April 2026. The decision, delegated to Sean McDermid, Corporate Director of Environment & Sustainable Transport, involves an investment of £761,383, funded by a capital grant from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) received in 2024.
The vehicles will service schools within the London Borough of Newham as part of Stage 2 of the borough's food waste collection roll out, and will also support the borough's statutory obligation to implement weekly food waste collections.
The vehicles, Hillend Engineering Micro XHD units mounted on DAF 12-tonne GVW chassis, will be sourced through the TPPL vehicle procurement framework. According to the Public reports pack 08th-Sep-2025 Officer Key Decision, alternative suppliers were considered but were discounted due to inability to meet the required delivery timelines, which would risk delaying the implementation of the food waste collection service.
The new vehicles are Euro 6 compliant, contributing to improved air quality and compliance with London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) standards. They are also equipped with a high-specification telematics system to monitor driver behaviour, fuel efficiency, and carbon footprint, aligning with the council's Green Fleet Management Strategy. The telematics system will enable the monitoring and reporting of key performance indicators such as driver behaviour, speed, braking, fuel efficiency (MPG), engine idling, and overall carbon footprint. These insights will be actively managed by the Fleet Management Team in line with the Council's Green Fleet Management Strategy.
The purchase supports Stage 2 of Newham's food waste collection rollout, extending the service to schools within the borough. The council says that this initiative directly supports the Building a Fairer Newham Corporate Plan, focusing on borough cleanliness, climate action, and service efficiency. The use of Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) fuel will further reduce emissions.
Alternative options, such as hiring vehicles or purchasing fully electric vehicles, were considered but rejected. Hiring was deemed too costly with limited availability, while electric vehicles were not feasible due to a lack of charging infrastructure and their unavailability within the required timeframe. The council will continue to explore opportunities to expand electric vehicle use as technology advances and infrastructure improvements are delivered through wider depot redevelopment plans. It is anticipated that the cost of electric vehicles will become more competitive over the next five years, enabling further progress towards full fleet electrification.