Brighton, UK using e-cargo bikes to collect city centre recycling

In Brighton, UK, recycling waste in the city centre will soon be collected using e-cargo bikes. The scheme, which will collect business waste from the narrow city centre streets, is intended to reduce carbon emissions, pollution and traffic noise.

The electrically-assisted tricycles that will make the collections are operated by Zedify, an e-bike logistics and delivery company that already operates in the city. The bikes use a long-tail design to fit a large box on the rear.

The scheme is aimed at business waste – specifically, paper and office refuse. Recorra, the company responsible for the recycling of the waste, will turn the waste into paper which will then be redistributed to offices in the city.

Minesh Agnitori, Zedify hub manager for Brighton, said: “Our research shows deliveries by cargo bike are 97% lower CO2 compared to diesel vans and we're delighted to be working in partnership with Recorra to help make their sustainable services even greener.”

Zedify is, says Agnitori, “on a mission to make Brighton a better place to live and work by replacing vans on its streets with quieter, safer and cleaner cargo bikes.”

Recorra managing director Darren Hedges emphasised the practical advantages of the new bikes: “Businesses in Brighton know first-hand the logistical challenges in the city, with its busy narrow streets, limited collection times and parking issues.

“The launch of our cargo bike service means we can work with our recycling and office supplies customers to overcome these obstacles meaning everyone in the city benefits from cleaner air and safer streets. It’s a quick and simple procurement change that can deliver real environmental improvements.”