The waste management company has set a target for 10% of its plant and collections vehicles to be “alternatively fuelled” by the end of 2025.
HVO is produced from waste vegetable oils and fats and is projected to reduce carbon emissions by around 90% compared to standard diesel.
At Biffa’s Midlands and North West transfer stations – which service Coventry, Birmingham, and Manchester – it is predicted that this translates to a saving of over 280 tonnes of carbon in six months.
Biffa currently operates more than 150 “alternatively fuelled” vehicles which are run on either HVO or electricity. The company described HVO as an “important transition fuel” for where switches to electricity or hydrogen are not yet available.
Monica Heenighan, Biffa’s industrial and commercial 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.”
Biffa’s HVO supply comes from an audited supply chain and meets the requirements of the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) and the Zemo Partnership Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme (RFAS).
Darren Holloway, commercial director for energy solutions at Certas Energy, added: “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.”
Subscribe for free