WHEN it comes to cleaning up, Bury's refuse collection team are anything but rubbish.

For not only is the service one of the council's most efficient when it comes to collecting waste from the borough's homes and businesses, but, thanks to the purchase of four new vehicles, it is now more environmentally friendly.

Rather than buy refuse collection wagons which meet current engine emission standards, the local authority decided to buy only those which will satisfy new and stricter standards due to come in in six months time.

Fleet transport manager, Stephen Fleming, said: "We could have bought four vehicles just to meet the present emissions standards and then run them for their standard service life which is six years.

"However, we felt this was an ideal opportunity to enhance our own environmental credentials and so we purchased the Mercedes-Benz Econics, which fit the bill perfectly." At the same time, one of the new wagons has been specially converted to make it shorter and lighter, so that it is able to operate in some of the smaller streets in the borough.

Local authority executive member for environment and transport, Councillor Julie Higson, said: "Obviously, when choosing new vehicles we have to go through the normal competitive tendering procedures to obtain the most cost effective.

"However, on this occasion we were also conscious of the forthcoming legislation and felt that there was no reason why we should not meet the engine emission requirements ahead of their implementation.

"That means rather than using vehicles which do not reach the required level for the next six years, which we could have done, we are playing our part in cutting the greenhouse gas effect."

Coun Higson added: "It is essential to have refuse collection vehicles on our streets on a regular basis, but there is no reason why they should not be as environmentally friendly as possible in the process.

"Meanwhile, we would continue to urge householders to take advantage of recycling opportunities, such as our own kerbside waste paper collection service and the numerous bottle banks which are located around the borough.

"Every little bit counts and if we all play a part it can make a real difference."