Council buys 10 hi-tech new bin lorries with 360-degree cameras, CCTV and radar systems to improve waste collections in Luton
Luton Council has bought 10 new hi-tech bin lorries that run on hydrotreated vegetable oil and boast 360-degree cameras, CCTV and radar systems as part of efforts to modernise its waste and recycling service.
The new refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) will replace older vehicles in the council’s existing fleet and are expected to improve reliability and reduce the need for maintenance.
The vehicles have 360-degree cameras, CCTV and radar systems which can detect people up to seven metres behind the vehicle when reversing.
They are also slightly narrower and shorter than the vehicles they replace, making them easier to manoeuvre on Luton’s streets.
The new vehicles run on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), a renewable diesel alternative, and feature an ECO pump system which allows the bin lifter to operate while the engine is idling. The council says both features will help reduce fuel use and carbon emissions.
Councillor Steve Stephens, portfolio holder for neighbourhood services at Luton Council, said: “Waste collection is one of the services residents rely on every day, so it is important that we have reliable, modern vehicles in place to support our teams.
“This investment will help us continue to deliver these essential services, reduce the risk of disruption caused by vehicle breakdowns and provide a more efficient and sustainable waste collection service for many years to come.”
The vehicles were funded through the council’s capital replacement programme and will be used on the main collection rounds, with some already in service.
The council is also planning to replace its remaining ageing refuse vehicles, with the next vehicles expected to enter service next year.