Council’s battery-powered team reducing impact on the Environment
The Team was encouraged to start the switch to battery-powered tools due to the progress made in re-chargeable machinery in recent times, with more robust construction and batteries offering much improved operation time between charges. The new tools not only reduce carbon emissions but are also quieter and have reduced vibration levels.
The Council initially invested in two kits, comprising leaf blowers, hedge cutters and strimmers and now has four strimmers, four hand-held blowers and three hedge cutters across the Grounds Maintenance Team. It is hoped that additional cost benefits will also be seen due to the reduction of fuel and two stroke oil required.
Commenting, Councillor Andrew MacPherson, Chairman of South Derbyshire District Council’s Environmental and Development Services Committee, said: “The environment is front and centre of our Corporate Plan, having declared a climate emergency in June 2019. We are doing everything possible to use sustainable solutions to minimise our impact on the environment whilst shaping it to meet residents’ expectations of our street scene.”
Three team members who took part in the initial re-chargeables trial - Tom Brookes, Simon Harrison and Ian Mewis, along with Bobby Brooksby and Steve Shepperd, who manage the Grounds Maintenance Team.
16 November 2020