Keep on trucking... to cleaner air

May 8 2007 By Catherine Hendrick, Birmingham Mail

BIRMINGHAM City Council aims to do its bit to tackle global warming after becoming the first in the country to unveil a fleet of "green" recycling trucks.

The council is splashing out more than £1 million on 34 low-emission vehicles from DAF to help reduce its carbon footprint.

The trucks run on diesel, but an additive called Adblue claims to cut the pollution they create by breaking down some of the exhaust fumes into harmless nitrogen and water.

The city has already hit its recycling target of 20 per cent of household waste a year early.

Ian Coghill, director of community safety and environmental services, said: "We are extremely proud to be the first council in the country to purchase these vehicles and they will maintain Birmingham's reputation as a green, clean city.

"As the recycling trucks cover tens of thousands of miles a year, whatever we can do to make the air of the city cleaner is of benefit to the environment and the people who live and work in Birmingham."