Rumpke pilots CNG trash trucks

Rumpke trucks fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG) have hit the streets of Southwest Ohio as part of a $3.1 million Clean Fuels Ohio project.

Rumpke of Ohio invested $2.3 million and partnered with Clean Fuels Ohio to obtain an $800,000 grant to complete the project which included 10 compressed natural gas (CNG) refuse collection trucks, and construction of a slow-fill, compressed natural gas fueling station and 16 fueling stands.

The switch to these trucks not only offers another use for landfill gas, but also offers a 21 to 26 percent reduction in green house gases.

Using one of the world’s largest landfill gas energy recovery systems, Rumpke removes methane from Rumpke Sanitary Landfill and converts it into natural gas for up to 25,000 homes. Although, the gas is not directly piped to Rumpke’s new CNG filling station, the station is one of the first hits on Duke Energy Corp.’s lines running from the landfill gas recovery system, making it possible for garbage trucks to run on the tri-state’s garbage. In the future the gas lines will run directly from the landfill plants to the filling stations.

Throughout the pilot, Rumpke will monitor fuel economy, reliability, dealer support and driver and mechanic feedback to determine if this system offers a useable and efficient fuel alternative. In time, Rumpke will consider additional routes as opportunities become available.