CVW wraps Babergh and Mid Suffolk bin fleet
Babergh and Mid Suffolk district councils’ new fleet of environmentally friendly bin lorries have been wrapped in unique designs installed by refuse vehicle graphics specialist Creative Vehicle Wrapping (CVW).
The councils and their waste provider Serco ran a competition last year asking residents to submit names for the 22 new trucks, which as a result have been given monikers such as ‘Ed Sheerbin’, ‘Gary Bineker’, ‘Binnie the Pooh’ and ‘Bincredible Hulk’.
The trucks’ liveries were designed by the councils’ in-house designer, each carrying a different image conveying an important waste message. These include ways residents can help prevent littering and fly tipping; advice on what can go in recycling bins; and raising awareness of the trucks’ use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as fuel, which is helping to cut the fleet’s carbon emissions by up to 90 per cent as well as reducing other pollutants.
Launched to mark a £2m investment and the biggest upgrade to the councils’ 35-vehicle waste fleet in almost 10 years, the competition saw over 400 individual name suggestions submitted by local residents of all ages.
The 22 winning names were then chosen by the crews and councils’ waste team, with winners invited to see the new lorries in action up close and meet crew members later this year.
Cllr Elisabeth Malvisi and Cllr Jessica Fleming, cabinet members for environment at Babergh District Council and Mid Suffolk District Council respectively, said: “We were absolutely bowled over by the response to our competition from residents of all ages who’ve showcased their wordplay skills.
“We know that many in our communities anticipate the arrival of our bin crews. They carry out over 100,000 collections every week, and we hope that the new lorries’ names and colourful designs will provide some light fun for everyone.
“Collecting your bin is one of our most visible jobs. And, as you’d expect, having a modern and reliable fleet is essential. The lorries are also playing a key role in reducing our carbon emissions after we became the first rural councils in the UK to use HVO fuel last year.”
Oliver Faiers, corporate manager for recycling, waste, and fleet at the councils, said: “Creative Vehicle Wrapping have been excellent. They understood exactly what we wanted to achieve and have gone above and beyond to help us make an impact while collecting people’s bins.
“Our new bin lorries look amazing, and really have been brought to life with the high-quality wraps – all despite a tight turnaround, and the added complexity of varying designs for each vehicle.”
Jonathan Thomas, director at CVW, said: “These vehicles are a perfect example of how refuse vehicles can be used to engage with people and communicate important messages. Research shows 80 per cent of people take notice of vehicle wraps and, most importantly, remember what they saw. The vehicles will attract a lot of attention and help the councils promote key waste messages.”
CVW is an accredited Avery Dennison approved installer, and says it can provide a one-stop shop for design consultancy, installation, and aftercare. The company has its own fully equipped installation unit and has built a reputation for creating impactful wrap campaigns on refuse vehicles and specialist commercial vehicles.
