GreenWaste orders Hyzon hydrogen-powered refuse trucks

Bolingbrook, Illinois-based Hyzon, a hydrogen fuel cell system manufacturer and technology developer, has announced it has entered into a purchase agreement for North America’s first 12 hydrogen-powered refuse fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) with GreenWaste, a San Jose, California-based resource recovery and recycling company. The order is contingent upon Hyzon meeting certain commercial terms and specifications as defined in the agreement.

“We are proud to partner with sustainability leader GreenWaste in this landmark agreement, as it represents a significant leap forward in transforming trucking in the waste industry through both Hyzon’s leading Class 8 tractor and refuse collection vehicles,” says Hyzon CEO Parker Meeks. “It is clear hydrogen-powered refuse collection demand is growing, powered by Hyzon’s high-performance hydrogen fuel cells. Our technology offers a compelling value proposition to our customers, providing zero-emission power necessary to meet the demanding challenges of refuse trucks, ensuring they perform day in and day out.”

The company also recently announced the start of production of its single-stack 200kW Fuel Cell System (FCS), which enables Hyzon to manufacture standardized FCSs as volume for commercial sale, further accelerating the decarbonization of heavy-duty industries.

Hyzon’s FCEVs are the first hydrogen-powered refuse collection FCEVs available for trial and purchase in North America, and GreenWaste will be the first company in North America to commercially operate them, continuing a commitment to sustainability leadership in the waste industry, Hyzon says.

The hydrogen-powered refuse collection FCEVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, supporting GreenWaste’s broader sustainability initiatives, including its 2030 goal to achieve a 45 percent reduction in total combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions from its 2022 baseline. In 2023, GreenWaste achieved a 36.3 percent reduction in total combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions from its 2022 baseline.

The purchase agreement follows GreenWaste’s trial of Hyzon’s refuse FCEV, where it successfully completed several trial routes throughout the Bay Area, testing for payload, can-lifts and range. 

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“Seven years ago, GreenWaste made history by commercially operating the world’s first full-sized electric side-loading waste collection truck. Today, we are building on that legacy with our plan to be the first in North America to introduce hydrogen-powered zero emissions vehicles into our collection fleet,” says Tracy Adams, CEO of GreenWaste. “For decades, we have been at the forefront of innovative and sustainable resource recovery and recycling.  This latest investment in zero-emission technology reinforces our leadership within the industry and commitment to recovering, recycling and reusing waste materials in the most innovative, environmentally responsible and reliable ways possible,” he added. 

Hyzon’s refuse collection FCEVs will be built in partnership between Hyzon and New Way Trucks, a privately held refuse truck body manufacturer based in Scranton, Iowa.

“New Way is excited to be working with GreenWaste to introduce the first-ever commercial application of hydrogen powered refuse collection in North America. GreenWaste has been a long-time, valued New Way partner and, together with Hyzon, we are making the biggest steps forward to decarbonize the solid waste industry—with no compromise on range or dependency on the grid,” says Don Ross, chief sales officer for New Way and chairman of the National Waste and Recycling Association. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with Hyzon and fielding more zero emissions, clean energy refuse vehicle solutions that will set a new standard for our industry.”

Refuse FCEV deliveries are expected to GreenWaste starting as soon as Q4 2025.