Veolia introducing state-of-the-art street cleansing machines
Resource management company Veolia, contracted by Croydon Council to undertake street cleansing, recycling and waste management on behalf of all the borough’s residents, is introducing four new mechanical street sweepers onto the streets of Croydon.
The new Schmidt Swingo200+ compact sweepers are efficient, flexible and convenient for public areas and urban centres, with a large hopper providing even greater coverage and an even longer sweeping operation.. The sweeping brooms attached to the front have an automatically regulated broom ground pressure control, resulting in maximum manoeuvrability in any sweeping situation, be they wide areas or narrow passages, or sensitive ground types. Additionally, the machine operates at a low noise level.
The machines are powered by a Euro 6 engine which operates at a more stringent environmental standard than the existing Stage 3b standard. The difference in emissions between the two standards is dramatic: The Stage 3b engine will produce up to 87% more harmful hydrocarbons and Nitrous Oxide gases than the Euro 6 engine. Additionally the emissions of particulate matter (PM) are reduced by approximately 85%.
Furthermore, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced plans to extend the proposed London Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) to include all of London within the North and South Circular Roads. Although these plans are yet to be ratified it is very likely that they will become law during the year 2020. The requirements of the ULEZ will mean that any vehicle (including mobile plant) that does not meet the Euro 6 emissions standard entering the ULEZ will incur an additional Emissions Surcharge (expected to be £10 per vehicle/per trip).
Meanwhile Croydon street cleaners will be equipped with 25 new electric hoovers to be used in the most needed areas and a further 25 units to be rolled out across the borough. The new hoovers are flexible and will enable the teams to clean heavily parked roads getting in between parked cars, as well as being better for the environment.
At the same time 50 more solar-powered bins will be installed to keep busy areas in district centres such as entrances to stations and parks - tidy. Solar powered street bins are able to compact waste to approximately eight times the capacity of a standard street bin and are being rolled out following a successful trial in the town centre. This will free up resources to concentrate on street cleansing activities.
Andrea Lowe, Contract Manager for Veolia in Croydon, said: “This demonstrates our commitment to cleaning the streets of Croydon to the highest standard. Not only are these new machines extremely efficient, but they are also designed in line with stringent European emissions levels making them amongst the most environmentally friendly vehicles operating in the borough.”
Cllr Stuart Collins, Croydon Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “Clean streets are a real priority for our residents and they make a huge difference to the way people feel when they visit our town and district centres. We have been asking residents and businesses to do their bit by disposing of their waste responsibly - and we are doing ours by upgrading our service, investing in equipment that will help us do the best possible job when it comes to cleaning pavements and public spaces. The new machines are also greener and less polluting, which helping to keep Croydon’s air cleaner.”