Children and staff recycle famous names for new vehicle fleet
New operational vehicles now have individual identities thanks to the creativity of primary school pupils, brownies and council staff.
Names inspired by famous people, characters and songs are being assigned to 14 recycling and waste collection lorries – purchased by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council – following a competition.
The borough council has invested in a new vehicle fleet featuring state-of-the-art technology including electric bin lifts, which are more fuel efficient, and an in-cab screen to monitor hazards. They run on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) – a renewable and biodegradable fuel – as the council continues its journey to net zero by 2030.
Local children, and council employees, were invited to submit name suggestions following the success of a similar event for Streetscene vehicles. The council received a total of 100 entries.
The chosen names are: Bin Diesel, Bincredible Hulk, Binderella, Bingo, Binocchio, Captain Clean-up, Disco Binferno, Minnie Binnie, Oprah Binfrey, The Flying Dustbin, The Recyclanator, Trash Bandicoot, Trash Gordon and Trashasaurus Rex.
Young winners from Betley Primary School, Ravensmead Primary School, Bignall End; St. Luke’s Primary School, Silverdale; St. Saviour’s Academy, Talke and Merryfields School, St. Giles’ and St. George’s Brownies and St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, based in Newcastle, will each receive a replicate of their nameplate and a goody bag from vehicle manufacturer Dennis Eagle UK.
Cllr. David Hutchison, Cabinet member for Sustainable Environment, said:
The council’s existing recycling and waste collection vehicles are coming to the end of their natural working life so this was a great opportunity to engage with young people in particular about environmental services and the importance of increasing recycling and reducing waste.
This type of competition is always fun, for children and adults alike, and everyone enjoys taking part. We had some fantastic entries which made it really difficult to choose the winners. I would like to thank everyone for their great ideas.
Our new fleet will improve the way we deliver collection services while reducing our carbon footprint. The names will be displayed on the front of these vehicles and residents will soon be able to look out for them when our crews are out and about.”
Recycling and general household waste are collected every fortnight, on alternate weeks, with food waste caddies emptied every week. A new food waste vehicle is yet to be named.