Casella introduces its first electric refuse vehicle in Vermont

Casella Waste Systems Inc., Rutland, Vermont, has introduced its Mack LR Electric refuse truck, which it says is both the first in its fleet and the first of its kind in the state.

Casella introduced the vehicle in a ceremony at the Killington Grand Hotel in front of more than 100 onlookers, including local and state representatives, local business leaders, customers, employees and more.

“The state of Vermont continues to be a leader in electrifying the transportation sector, and I truly believe it’s the future,” Vermont Gov. Phil Scott says. “But the government cannot lead the transition alone. It takes committed partners in the private sector, like Casella, to step up as well. I thank Casella for making this exciting investment, and I look forward to our continued partnerships.

Casella says its LR Electric truck has been equipped with an automated side loader with a split body for collecting waste and recycling simultaneously. By switching one truck from diesel to electric, the company says it expects to conserve over 7,500 gallons of diesel fuel per year.

Because the fleet will be charging with 100 percent carbon-free electricity provided by Colchester, Vermont-based Green Mountain Power, Casella says it expects to eliminate over 78 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year, which is equivalent to taking around 16 passenger vehicles off the road.

Casella says the Mack LR E will be used on residential routes in the Rutland region and was partially made possible when the company successfully secured grant funding through the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. Casella says it believes that Vermont will provide the right proving ground for the pilot program, testing against the mountainous terrain and cold winters.

“Sustainable innovation is core to everything we do as a company,” Casella Chairman and CEO John W. Casella says. “The opportunity to pilot the Mack LR Electric in Vermont will help us evaluate whether this is a viable option in other markets that we serve. The opportunity to cut greenhouse gas emissions, while maintaining a high level of service to our customers, is key to us.”

In 2005, Casella joined the EPA Climate Leaders as a charter member, and in 2012 the company was awarded the EPA’s Climate Leadership Award for Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Emissions after reducing its carbon footprint by more than 45 percent and has recently established a goal to reduce it by another 40 percent by 2030.

“This is another important milestone in our pursuit of becoming a more sustainable business while serving our customers in a way that helps them meet their sustainability goals as well,” John W. Casella says. “This pilot program is an important step in understanding the viability of the technology and how we could potentially scale it.”