West Berkshire's waste collection vehicles are now running on a greener fuel.

West Berkshire Council has switched all waste collection vehicles, including those used for weekly food waste collection and delivering recycling bins, boxes, and bags, to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a renewable diesel.

The council says HVO can be used as a direct replacement for diesel and offers up to a 90% cut in fossil carbon dioxide emissions.

This move, according to the council, aligns with its goal to achieve net-zero emissions across the district by 2030.

By changing to HVO, the council expects to replace more than 67,000 litres of diesel with this renewable fuel annually.

The switch is predicted to save around 230 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.

According to the council, this is equivalent to the carbon footprint of more than 100 round-trip flights from London to New York.

In addition to the switch to HVO, West Berkshire Council also plans to trial an electric Refuse Collection Vehicle (eRCV) this autumn.

The council hopes this will help develop plans for more sustainable services in the future.

Councillor Stuart Gourley, West Berkshire Council's executive member for environment and highways, said: "This is an exciting leap forward in our mission to create a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable West Berkshire, while also improving our waste services.

"By adopting HVO, we're not just cutting emissions; we’re driving real change toward a greener, healthier future for everyone in our community.

"This is just one of the many steps we’re taking to push the boundaries of what’s possible for our environment, set an example for others to follow, and ensure we meet our carbon neutrality targets by 2030."

David Matthews, general manager at Veolia West Berkshire, said: "Veolia has significant experience in managing the transition to alternative fuels and is delighted to be supporting West Berkshire Council with this move to greener fuels for the local collection fleet.

"Making this change will create a more sustainable service for residents by reducing emissions that impact the environment, which also contributes towards Veolia's wider goal of ecological transformation."

HVO is made from certified sustainable materials and is significantly better for the environment than regular diesel.

The West Berkshire Council has expressed its commitment to sustainability through this initiative, hoping to set an example for other regions to follow.

As it stands, the council's shift to HVO is a part of a broader strategy aimed at reducing the environmental impact of its operations and promoting a more sustainable future for the community.