Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110
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Waste Management opens first public compressed natural gas fueling station in Camden
Waste Management of New Jersey celebrated the grand opening of the first public-access compressed natural gas (CNG) fuelling station in Camden yesterday and announced plans to convert its regional fleet to this clean-burning, environmentally-friendly fuel.
The new 'Clean N' Green Fuel' public fuelling station, to be operated by PetroCard, is the first such facility in Camden County and will sell CNG to commercial fleets as well as individuals with CNG-equipped vehicles, at prices typically one-third below the cost of gasoline and diesel. In addition to cost savings, the US Department of Energy estimates that the use of CNG reduces particulate matter emissions by 86%, carbon monoxide emissions by 80%, nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 32% and greenhouse emissions by 25%. As an additional benefit, CNG trucks run 50% quieter than diesel trucks.
Waste Management of New Jersey recently acquired 14 CNG collection trucks and expects to have 45 CNG vehicles in service by the end of the Summer, representing nearly half its Camden-based fleet and covering routes in Camden, Burlington and Gloucester Counties. Deploying these vehicles will help Waste Management achieve its sustainability goal of reducing fleet emissions by 15% and increasing fuel efficiency by 15% by 2020. Waste Management tells us it currently operates the largest fleet of CNG recycling and waste collection trucks in North America.
"We are dedicated to doing business in the most sustainable way possible, while providing our customers with outstanding service," explained John Morris, area vice president for Waste Management of New Jersey, at the opening. "Natural gas powered vehicles run cleaner and quieter, improving air quality and reducing noise pollution. Our 45 new CNG trucks will reduce emissions equivalent to taking 3,500 gasoline-powered vehicles off the road."
Steve Tolton, CEO of PetroCard, agreed, saying: "CNG is an environmentally-friendly, alternative fuel that is ready and available today. Our partnership with Waste Management has made it more convenient for fleets and consumers with CNG vehicles to reduce emissions and save money. This fueling station will enable additional private and public fleet operators to take advantage of the economic and environmental benefits of CNG."
The initiative has the full backing of the local authority. Mayor Dana L. Redd said: "The City of Camden is truly committed to cleaning up our neighbourhoods and our environment.
"Working in partnership with Waste Management and PetroCard, today we continue to build upon our green initiatives. From our Camden Clean Campaign, to improving our recycling collection, to our new CNG station, we are all doing our part to make our city 'Cleaner and Greener' and to move Camden forward."
Diesel and gasoline have jumped 40%in price over the past year despite flat demand. In comparison, CNG is a domestically sourced fuel with stable supplies and more predictable long-term pricing.
CNG is sold in gasoline gallon equivalents (GGEs), with each GGE having the same energy content as a gallon of gasoline. Vehicles using CNG typically have similar or better fuel economy ratings than standard gasoline or diesel vehicles. Current pricing at the Camden 'Clean N' Green Fuel' station is in the range of $1.759/GGE.
Waste Management, based in Houston, Texas, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. Through its subsidiaries, the company provides collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery and disposal services. It is the largest residential recycler and also a leading developer, operator and owner of waste-to-energy and landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the US. The company's customers include residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers throughout North America.
T: +1-917-658-8131
E: [email protected]
W: www.wm.com
9th June 2011