PR 1939
A `GREEN' VAN FOR A `GREEN' BUSINESS
A local recycling businesses has even better `green' credentials with the loan of a battery-powered van from Hampshire County Council's MIRACLES project.
Based in Bishop's Waltham, Dove Recycling, a registered waste carrier, collects recyclables in Winchester city centre and for the next few weeks will be doing so in one of the six alternative fuel vehicles that can be borrowed by local businesses under the project co-financed by the European Union.
The County Council's Executive Member for Environment, Councillor Keith Estlin, said: "We've had very good feedback from businesses that have used these vehicles over the past year, and it's fitting that Dove Recycling should be using this electric battery-powered van as it goes about its already `green' business.
"There's a common misconception that alternative fuel vehicles are difficult to drive or refuel but that simply isn't the case. We all need to work in a more sustainable manner, and local businesses are very well placed to lead the way. I'm very pleased to see Dove Recycling taking the message to heart."
Managing Director, John Cauchi, said: "We were really keen to trial the electric van because of the environment benefits it offers. It should be just what we need to carry out our collections in the city centre, and if the trial is successful we hope to offer this additional benefit on a permanent basis."
Local businesses wanting to arrange a free month-long trial of an alternative fuel vehicle should contact Frankie Dunckley at the County Council on 01962 847474. For more information on Dove Recycling's waste collection service, call 01489 894477 or log on to www.doverecycling.co.uk.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
The four-year MIRACLES project - Multi Initiative for Rationalised Accessibility and Clean Liveable EnvironmentS - aims to bring a number of environmental benefits to Winchester, helping to tackle some of the problems associated with pollution. The project is co-financed by the European Union as part of its wider CIVITAS (City-Vitality-Sustainability) Initiative involving 19 cities across Europe.
MIRACLES in Winchester plans to demonstrate a variety of sustainable transport measures during the lifetime of the project, which can then be used as best practice advice to other European cities and towns. The key concepts of MIRACLES are: environmental sustainability, transport planning and city centre accessibility.
The Winchester consortium for the project comprises Hampshire County Council, Winchester City Council, The Transport Research Group at the University of Southampton, Atkins and the Met Office.
For further information please contact: Sarette Martin on 01962 847666 sarette.martin@hants.gov.uk