These forklifts are a key part of the recycling infrastructure, used to transport compacted bales of waste from the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) floor into shipping containers to be transported and recycled.
The new vehicles are fitted with a sonar mechanism which calculates their reverse trajectory, scans surroundings, and automatically slows the vehicle when obstacles are detected, making them safer to operate than previous models.
These forklifts support operational efficiency and sustainability, replacing previously trialled diesel and lead-acid battery models. The older models frequently faced challenges such as overheating, mechanical breakdowns and inflexible battery charging requirements, which made them ill-suited for the dynamic MRF environment.
The new forklifts have a lifespan of approximately eight to ten years. When these batteries reach the end of their optimal operational life, they will be repurposed for uses such as energy storage, before they are eventually processed securely at a dedicated battery recycling facility.
Matthew Crane, regional manager at Veolia Southwark, said: “Our investment in four lithium-ion clamp trucks marks a significant milestone in Veolia Southwark’s journey towards ecological transformation. After years of trialling different solutions, we’ve found the perfect balance between sustainability and operational efficiency. These vehicles not only address the unique challenges of our MRF environment but also align with the carbon-neutrality goals we are working towards in partnership with Southwark Council.”