Biffa, the UK leader in sustainable waste management, has partnered with Certas Energy, the largest independent distributor of fuel and lubricants in the UK, to convert 25 transfer station plant vehicles within its Industrial & Commercial (I&C) division, to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel.
The switch means Biffa continues to grow its green fleet and has set a target for 10% of its plant and collections vehicles to be alternatively fuelled by the end of the year as part of wider plans to decarbonise its UK operations.
Biffa now operates more than 150 alternative fuelled vehicles, including HVO and electric. HVO is an important transition fuel for plant vehicles where switches to EV or hydrogen are not yet viable.
HVO is produced from 100% renewable raw materials and sustainable waste from verified vegetable fats and oils and is projected to reduce carbon emissions by around 90% compared to standard diesel.
HVO releases fewer oxides with near-zero sulphur and very low aromatics content compared to traditional diesel, which helps to minimise the impact on local air quality. At Biffa’s Midlands and North West transfer stations, this translates to a saving of over 280 tonnes of carbon in just six months.
The supply of HVO is fully validated with an auditable supply chain, manufactured only from primary waste sources and not causing deforestation and environmental damage. Only suppliers who meet the requirements of the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) and the Zemo Partnership Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme (RFAS) are used.
The HVO conversion at Biffa’s I&C transfer stations across the Midlands and North West marks a significant contribution to the Group’s broader decarbonisation strategy as it aims to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 from its 2019 baseline.
Biffa’s Midlands and North West transfer stations manage the waste and recycling from businesses in major urban areas including Coventry, Birmingham and Manchester.
Monica Heenighan, Biffa’s I&C North Area Director, said: “In just six months, we’ve increased our alternative fuel fleet from 3% to 15% across the Midlands and North West, which is a fantastic achievement.
“HVO vehicles allow us to be greener faster and are a crucial step to reducing emissions. Achieving our 2030 target will depend on the Government coming forward with an infrastructure strategy for commercial vehicles, followed by a rapid implementation plan that has a positive impact on the commercial vehicle supply chain. We look forward to continuing to play our part in the UK’s transition to a greener, circular and more sustainable economy.”
Darren Holloway, Commercial Director for Energy Solutions at Certas Energy, said: “After an excellent year for HVO, we are thrilled to kickstart 2025 by announcing this partnership with Biffa and to support their transition to net zero. Up and down the country, we are seeing more customers choose HVO as a short and medium-term solution to immediately and drastically reduce carbon emissions.”
