Liverpool City Council is preparing to introduce a fleet of waste collection lorries powered by hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) as part of a major new plan to comply with upcoming food-waste collection legislation.
Starting from April 2026, all UK local authorities will be legally required to offer weekly food-waste collections to residents.
In response, Liverpool—currently ranked as having one of the poorest recycling rates in the country—is planning to roll out between 20 and 36 HVO-powered vehicles. The move is part of a broader £4.4 million initiative to distribute thousands of food-waste bins and caddies to households across the city.
HVO, a renewable fuel made from vegetable oil, animal fats and food-waste by-products, emits up to 98% less CO2 than diesel.
Council documents also outline potential plans to build a food-waste processing facility within the Liverpool City Region.
Although the first vehicles will technically be diesel-based, they will run on HVO to reduce carbon emissions, following similar trials by neighbouring authorities.
Council documents also outline potential plans to build a food-waste processing facility within the Liverpool City Region.
The proposed 80,000-tonne site would lower transport costs and support the development of local biogas infrastructure, aligning with long-term ambitions to eventually switch to gas-powered collection vehicles.
Food waste currently represents around a third of domestic bin contents. Officials say the new scheme aims to make recycling easier and more effective for residents, while addressing the environmental and financial costs of sending 130,000 tonnes of general waste to an incineration plant in Redcar each year.
Further feasibility studies are underway, with consultants advising the council to explore a full business case for a local food-waste treatment facility.
The proposal is due before Liverpool City Council’s cabinet next week.