Decarbonising Winchester City Council's fleet
In partnership with Winchester City Council, Biffa converted its entire waste and recycling fleet in the district from diesel to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). This shift to a lower-carbon fuel helped Winchester cut transport emissions without disrupting essential services – supporting the local authority’s commitment towards carbon neutrality.
The higher cost of HVO compared to diesel required a collaborative financial approach. A contract variation was agreed to fund the price difference, reflecting the shared commitment between Biffa and Winchester City Council to deliver environmental progress.
The existing tank design allowed for an easy swap, avoiding the need for infrastructure changes. Drivers and operatives were briefed to maintain seamless collections, and the transition was delivered without any interruption to service.
To guarantee the sustainability of the fuel supply, Biffa sourced HVO only from suppliers certified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) and the Zemo Partnership’s Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme (RFAS). The fuel is made exclusively from primary waste materials, avoiding deforestation and wider environmental harm.
While HVO carries a higher upfront cost than diesel, its projected reduction in carbon emissions offered a clear environmental return on investment.
The project demonstrates how thoughtful planning and partnership can deliver practical, scalable solutions in the transition to low-carbon transport.
The Challenge
Transport emissions from diesel vehicles posed a significant challenge to Winchester City Council’s carbon reduction targets. The local authority needed a solution that could cut emissions quickly, without requiring major infrastructure changes or impacting day-to-day waste collection for residents.The Solution
Biffa transitioned all 22 frontline waste and recycling vehicles in Winchester to run on HVO, a renewable fuel made from sustainable waste materials. Compared to diesel, HVO significantly reduces carbon emissions, with no impact on vehicle performance or reliability - helping local authorities meet their ambitious climate targets.The higher cost of HVO compared to diesel required a collaborative financial approach. A contract variation was agreed to fund the price difference, reflecting the shared commitment between Biffa and Winchester City Council to deliver environmental progress.
Implementation
The transition to HVO was carefully planned to ensure zero disruption to daily operations. Thanks to an on-site fuel tank at the Winchester depot, the switch was straightforward.The existing tank design allowed for an easy swap, avoiding the need for infrastructure changes. Drivers and operatives were briefed to maintain seamless collections, and the transition was delivered without any interruption to service.
To guarantee the sustainability of the fuel supply, Biffa sourced HVO only from suppliers certified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) and the Zemo Partnership’s Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme (RFAS). The fuel is made exclusively from primary waste materials, avoiding deforestation and wider environmental harm.
While HVO carries a higher upfront cost than diesel, its projected reduction in carbon emissions offered a clear environmental return on investment.
The project demonstrates how thoughtful planning and partnership can deliver practical, scalable solutions in the transition to low-carbon transport.
Results
The switch to HVO was achieved without disrupting essential services or requiring new vehicle investments and has delivered:
80%
reduction in fleet CO2 emissions
670 tonnes
of CO2 saved annually
We’re now 96% of the way to our 2024 carbon neutrality target – a remarkable achievement – and the move to HVO with Biffa has been a big part of that.
Campbell Williams
Interim Corporate Head of Service Place, Winchester City Council
Future directions
Following the successful transition to HVO across its entire frontline waste and recycling fleet, Winchester City Council has introduced its first fully electric waste truck – delivered in partnership with Biffa.This new 100% electric vehicle – the first of its kind in the district – marks a significant step forward in Winchester’s long-term ambition to operate a fully electric fleet. As a long-term partner, Biffa is proud to support Winchester City Council on its journey towards a low-carbon future.
Conclusion
The Winchester City Council’s fleet transition highlights Biffa’s ability to deliver rapid, scalable low-carbon solutions for local authorities without waiting for infrastructure upgrades or long-term technology shifts. By switching to a certified, renewable fuel, Winchester City Council cut fleet emissions by over 80% without needing new vehicles, infrastructure changes, or compromising service delivery.This initiative has played a key role in helping the local authority reach 96% of its carbon neutrality target for 2024, proving that low-carbon solutions can align with operational priorities and policy deadlines.
This project proves that HVO is a practical, immediate solution for decarbonising local authority fleets. With nationwide capability, certified supply chains, and a proven rollout model, Biffa is uniquely positioned to help local authorities across the UK reduce emissions quickly, reliably, and at scale.
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