MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Seattle launches electric garbage trucks as part of new green fleet

May 31, 2019, 7:05 PM

(Photo courtesy of Seattle Public Utilities)...

(Photo courtesy of Seattle Public Utilities)

(Photo courtesy of Seattle Public Utilities)

When you think of moving toward green energy, a garbage truck probably isn’t the first thing to come to mind. But Seattle is on the verge of becoming the first in the nation to add a few fully electric garbage trucks. Of course, they’ll still smell like garbage if you’re driving behind one.

The electric trucks are produced by Recology — a waste management company that focuses on sustainability — and the first will be put into service in June, the second next year. They’re part of a fossil fuel-free, green fleet roll out that will see up to 200 contractor trucks powered by electricity, renewable natural gas and renewable diesel.

Cedar Hills landfill ‘Mole’ may have inspired sandcrawlers in ‘Star Wars’

About 80 Recology trucks are already roaming the streets, fueled by a diesel derived from renewable sources, including vegetable waste, soybean oil,  and animal tallow. The fleet will also be comprised of 91 Waste Management trucks powered by renewable natural gas, which begins as a biogas when trash decays in landfills. We’re still a ways from directly powering vehicles from garbage, like Doc Brown powers the time machine at the end of Back to the Future.

“Our new Green Fleet at Seattle Public Utilities is another example of Seattle leading the world and taking bold action to protect our communities from the impacts of climate change,” said Mayor Jenny Durkan. “Vehicle emissions are the City’s number one contributor to our greenhouse gas emissions. Bringing those down will require increasing investments in transit, bikes, walking and adding density.”

Seattle passes measure for electric vehicle charging, Durkan still faces flack

The full fleet is expected to be in operation by early 2020, and will likely turn out to be the greenest set of garbage trucks in the nation. Whether that becomes a source of pride for Seattleites remains to be seen.

MyNorthwest News

Photo: On Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced there will be 16 new preschool classrooms across Se...

Julia Dallas

Harrell’s office announces Seattle preschool slots for thousands of kids

Thousands more families will have the chance to start their children's Seattle preschool education earlier, thanks to a program launching.

7 hours ago

Digital...

Micki Gamez

How parents can help prevent children from falling victim to online sex crimes

Chances are, if your teen has a cell phone or tablet, they either know someone or they have been the victim of an online sex crime because kids as young as seven are online more than ever. My interest in this story began almost the same time last year when my daughter came home and […]

11 hours ago

Pierce County Jail...

Bill Kaczaraba

Pierce County Corrections chief at odds with the employee guild

The Corrections Bureau's Guild has issued Patti Jackson a vote of 'no confidence,' as reported by The Tacoma News Tribune.

13 hours ago

Image: A Seattle Police Department vehicle seen during the day...

Sam Campbell

Security guard stabbed, suspect barricades inside Beacon Hill apartment

SWAT officers surrounded a complex in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood after police said a man stabbed a guard barricaded himself inside.

15 hours ago

seattle indecent exposure...

Frank Sumrall

Seattle man arrested for 14 counts of indecent exposure, most near schools

A 34-year-old man was arrested by Seattle police (SPD) in connection to 14 counts of indecent exposure near Lake Forest Park.

15 hours ago

Federal Way shootings...

Bill Kaczaraba

Federal Way Police say two shootings are related

Police believe two shootings in Federal Way are related.

17 hours ago

Seattle launches electric garbage trucks as part of new green fleet