An East Lancashire local authority has introduced new eco-friendly bin wagons.

Hyndburn Council has added five new refuse collection vehicles to its fleet, all of which run on hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO).

This innovative step is part of the authority’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and reducing carbon emissions.

Using HVO means when the new vehicles are in use they have the potential to reduce CO2 emission by up to 90 per cent compared to using diesel fuel, significantly contributing to the council’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2030.

In addition, two existing refuse collection vehicles have been rebranded to promote the council’s free bulky waste collection service.

This allows residents to dispose of up to six bulky items per month at no cost.

Items eligible for collection include bed bases and mattresses, sofas and chairs, carpets, bikes and prams, white goods, TVs and other electrical items, dining tables and various other timber and metal items.

The free service operates five days a week, with each vehicle capable of handling up to 30 collections per day.

Last year the service successfully collected approximately 30,000 items across 15,000 visits, ensuring that everything that can be recycled is processed in collaboration with organisations across East Lancashire.

Cllr Stewart Eaves, Hyndburn Council's environmental services boss, said: “We are thrilled to introduce these new eco-friendly vehicles to our fleet.

"This helps us reduce our carbon footprint and supports our broader environmental goals.

"Our free bulky waste collection service is a fantastic resource for residents, making it easier for them to dispose of large items responsibly.

"We encourage everyone to take advantage of this service and join us in our efforts to create a cleaner, greener Hyndburn.”

Hyndburn Council has also launched its new refuse collection calendar this week, distributed to all 37,000 households across the borough.