Co Antrim waste and resource management firm RiverRidge has completed a significant investment in its glass waste collection service after buying two new state-of-the-art biofuel vehicles which will see it increase its footprint and service offering.
The introduction of the new 16 tonne vehicles will enable RiverRidge to service its growing customer base across the north, including the Merchant Hotel in Belfast, which it recently secured an extensive new service level agreement with.
The expanded service will see all glass waste collected from customers managed in house by RiverRidge, eliminating the need for sub-contractors and so reducing the carbon footprint of its collection services.
It fit with RiverRidge’s inaugural ESG report earlier this year, in which it committed to reduce the carbon cost of its collection services by 90% by 2040 through the upgrade of its fleet, increased route density and the transition to alternative fuels.
The latest additions to RiverRidge’s fleet run on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel, a clean burning diesel fuel that offers up to 90% carbon savings compared to regular diesel.
Made from plant waste, oils and fats, HVO supports the circular economy and is a more sustainable alternative, but offers the same, if not better, performance as traditional diesel engines.
Brett Ross, chief executive of RiverRidge, which last year had sales of almost £66 million, said: “The expansion of our glass waste collection service will offer our customers a more extensive service offering; from general, food and oil, and dry mixed recycling waste collections, they can utilise the one company for all, with the confidence that their waste is being treated in the most environmentally friendly way.
“The hospitality and retail food sectors particularly require a reliable and dependable collection service, and we pride ourselves on our ability to deliver that across all sectors.
“As part of our ESG strategy, we have committed to more sustainable ways of working, and helping our customers to address the environmental cost of waste and resource management. The addition of the new biofuel glass collections vehicles is one way that can help us achieve that.”
James Sinton, group finance director of Merchant Hotel owners Beannchor, said: “When we were looking for a new provider, we wanted a supplier that not only aligned with our own sustainability goals but could comprehensively deal with all our waste and resource needs.
“We are committed to reducing our impact on the environment, and working towards being a more sustainable business, planet and society. RiverRidge’s all-inclusive service offering and clear ESG goals gave us the confidence that our waste is being treated in the most environmentally friendly way. We look forward to seeing the impact of both our actions throughout the partnership.”
The new glass collection Mactip 180s vehicles were procured for RiverRidge by Antrim-based MacPac Refuse Bodies.