HAMILTON, CANADA – The City of Hamilton’s Public Works fleet has become cleaner and greener, with the arrival of seven more advanced technology street sweepers that are able to remove material from the roads down to fine dust particles. The entire fleet of older, less efficient mechanical sweepers has been replaced, according to the Web site www.hamiltonmountainnews.com.

Public Works staff evaluated numerous options in selecting the new sweepers and worked with Toronto city staff over a two-year period to test different models. The goal of the exercise was to find a sweeper that not only picked up leaves and litter efficiently, but also captured 90 percent or more of the fine particulate matter found on road surfaces that is spread into the air by passing traffic.

At the same time, the city’s largest public works yard began using biodiesel fuel in its trucks in April, including all of the city’s garbage packers. The new diesel fuel contains five percent biodiesel sourced from soybeans. The addition of the renewable fuel has been successful so far, so the biodiesel blend will continue to be used through the summer and helps to contribute to the city’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to www.hamiltonmountainnews.com.

A Green Fleet Implementation Plan was created in 2006 as part of Public Works’ commitment to improving air quality, preventing climate change and implementing one of the country’s leading low-emissions fleets. In May, Hamilton’s Fleet earned a Silver Rating for excellence in “greening” its vehicle fleets under a new national program known as E3 Fleet. Between 2005 and 2006, City of Hamilton fleets increased fuel efficiency by five percent for every kilometer traveled, and decreased greenhouse gas emissions by two percent per kilometer. The city’s E3 Fleet Silver Rating was based on these accomplishments and best management practices, such as the City adopting a green fleet plan, an idling reduction program, fuel data management, and a green vehicle purchasing policy.