In Québec’s southern eastern city of Magog, the city’s contracted waste collection company Sani-Estrie has commenced operations with compressed natural gas (CNG) powered dump trucks. The Sherbrooke-based family business currently boasts nine CNG trucks, five of which will be used for waste collection in Magog.
To facilitate fuel supply, Gaz Métro’s subsidiary Gaz Métro Transport Solutions (GMTS) provided a compression station on Sani-Estrie’s Sherbrooke site. The new fleet, now in operation, has been refuelling through the Gaz Métro network since July 1.
The shift towards greener transport was lauded by the City of Magog: a fuel that’s not only cheaper, but also more environmentally friendly. “We are very excited about the new trucks, which will let us enjoy the many benefits of natural gas, especially on the economic and environmental levels,” said Sani-Estrie’s Vice-President, Sylvain Gagné. “Staying at the fore of transport trends is vital if we are to increase our competitiveness in the field of waste collection.”
The nine CNG trucks—two tractor-trailers, two roll-off trucks and five dump trucks—are the first of a total of 30 to be delivered over the next five years. In addition to generating medium- to long-term savings for Sani-Estrie, the new fleet will cut greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 18%. The fact that natural gas engines are also up to 10 decibels quieter will also improve quality of life in the community.
The switch to natural gas gives Sani-Estrie an edge with prospective customers who, like the City of Magog, are concerned about reducing emissions. “We chose to be proactive in finding the best and most cost-effective solutions to reach and even surpass the environmental targets set by the Québec government,” said Mayor Hamm. “Sani-Estrie offers greener and quieter waste collection. This is a concrete example of how our city’s strategic directions can be put into action as we strive to implement sustainable practices in such areas as water and waste management, energy consumption and environmental conservation.”
(Source: Gaz Métro)
