With pictures L to R: Martin Johnson, HBBC operative; Tom Rose, SFS; Cllr Lynda Hodgkins, HBBC; Peter Battison, HBBC Waste Management Supervisor; with two vehicles from Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council’s new food waste collection fleet

A fleet of nine dedicated food waste collection vehicles has arrived at Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council (HBBC), ready to carry out a new weekly food waste recycling collection service, which started this month.

The vehicles, all Isuzu N75 7.5T trucks fitted with a Hillend Engineering MICRO L body and binlift, are being provided by the council’s long-standing fleet and workshop partner, Specialist Fleet Services Ltd (SFS), which has worked with the council for more than 20 years.

Each truck proudly features its own name* on the front, following a council-run competition that invited residents to suggest names for the new fleet.

The new service is being fully funded by the Government, following new regulations introducing mandatory food waste collections across the UK. All residents in the borough will receive a weekly food waste collection, taking place on the same day as their usual waste and recycling collections. Collected food waste will be converted into renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions and diverting waste from landfill.

In March 2025, HBBC signed an eight-year agreement with SFS covering the supply and maintenance of the council’s fleet, as well as management of its workshop facility. As part of the contract, SFS delivered 22 vehicles in September 2025, including refuse collection vehicles, bulky waste trucks and sweepers.

Lynda Hodgkins, Executive Member for Clean Neighbourhood Services, said: “We are excited to offer this new service to residents. Recycling food waste is a simple change that makes a big difference — reducing harmful emissions, generating green energy, and keeping bins cleaner and fresher. The service is free, easy to use, and will help make our borough cleaner and greener.”

Caroline Roffey, Assistant Director, Street Scene Services, said: "I would like to thank everyone at Specialist Fleet Services for their work providing us with these food waste collection vehicles. These vehicles will soon hit the roads across the borough, with the winning names from our vehicle naming competition proudly printed on them."

Bob Sweetland, Managing Director at SFS, said: “We are delighted to provide a fleet of dedicated food waste collection vehicles to support this new recycling service at Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, helping to contribute to its carbon reduction targets.”

SFS has been delivering fleet and workshop management solutions to local authorities for over 30 years. The company operates its own specialist short-term hire division, CTS Hire, and a network of 15 workshops across the UK — nine of which are based at council depots — with plans for continued expansion.

For more information about Specialist Fleet Services tel: 01604 234601 or  email [email protected]

*The winning vehicle names: Lewis Scrapaldi – Natalie from Twycross; Scrapunzel – Amber from Hinckley; Leftovers Laurie – Lucie from Twycross; Pasta La Vista Baby – Andy from Barlestone; Bread Pitt – Andy from Hinckley; Scrappy Doo – Mihaela from Hinckley; Ada Lovewaste – Leiah from Hinckley; Peels on Wheels – Paul from Hinckley; Toast Busters – Jamie from Markfield and Andy from Barlestone