Electric bin lorries that are powered by the waste they have collected will be trialled by Sheffield City Council.

The project – being hailed as a ‘world first’ for any local authority – has seen four used refuse collection vehicles being re-powered to produce zero carbon emissions and no air pollution.

Two of the vehicles will be powered by energy produced at the city’s Energy Recovery Facility, generated by processing the city’s black bin waste into energy.

Cllr Mark Jones, the council’s cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: ‘This is an amazing, innovative project that puts Sheffield and the region at the forefront of green technology.

‘Using local expertise, we are piloting a new repowered 26-tonne bin lorry which is powered by the electricity produced by the waste it collects. We believe we are the first local authority ever to do this, putting Sheffield at the forefront of the green energy revolution.’

The system has been designed by local firm Magtec and the project has been funded by Innovate UK. Two of the vehicles will remain in Sheffield, while two will be used by Westminster Council.