Cleanaway renewable diesel demonstration drives down GHG from heavy vehicles

Cleanaway is leading the way for Australia’s heavy vehicle sector with HVO100, a fossil fuel alternative made from used cooking oil that reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 91%.

Aligned with Cleanaway’s Blueprint 2030 strategy to provide high circularity, low carbon solutions, HVO100 provides an immediate and real reduction of scope one emissions from our fleet, which translates into reduction of scope three for our customers.

For Cleanaway customers with substantial waste volumes reducing scope three emissions from waste collections services is significant and can mitigate the need to spend on carbon offsets.
Cleanaway is using Neste’s ‘Neste MY Renewable Diesel’, made exclusively from used cooking oil.

The drop-in renewable diesel requires no infrastructure modification and minimal capital investment. Neste is an established HVO100 manufacturer with over 15 years’ experience to European and American markets and a commitment to sourcing 100% renewable and traceable raw material.

Following the August 2023 acquisition of AEO Scanline, Cleanaway is now collecting and processing used cooking oil and supplying this as feedstock to Neste, among other end-markets.

HVO100 is a scalable option for fleet decarbonisation that maintains performance and payload.

The heavy vehicle industry is a hard-to-abate sector for GHG emissions and we’re working with our fuelling partner, Viva Energy, on new and emerging solutions. In addition to HVO100, we’ll be receiving two hydrogen vehicles into our fleet as part of Viva Energy’s New Energies Service Station.

Cleanaway would like to thank the Albanese Government for its consultation with industry and work towards changing the fuel standards to recognise HVO100 as a National Greenhouse Energy Reporting emissions reduction solution, supporting government and industry to achieve emissions reduction targets.

This demonstration will continue to provide valuable insights to inform supportive regulatory, market and commercial conditions.

Speaking about the demonstration, Cleanaway Managing Director and CEO Mark Schubert said, “Today we’re launching our HVO100 demonstration, with two vehicles powered by this 100% traceable and circular fuel, that will emit up to 91% less greenhouse gas than regular fossil diesel.

The use of HVO100 in Cleanaway trucks is part of our Blueprint 2030 strategy to reduce the carbon impact of our operations and increase circularity from the material we collect.

“We're committed to leading our industry with innovative and fit for purpose solutions that align with our customers‘ goals while driving forward to support the achievement of federal emissions targets.”

Operating out of the Perry Road Depot in Dandenong Victoria, the demonstration includes a City of Casey Volvo FE 2020 council truck and a Volvo FM11 front lift organics collections vehicle that services Coles Supermarkets in South-East Melbourne, among other customers.

Supported by insights from the HVO100 demonstration, Cleanaway will work in partnership with the Albanese Government, customers, and key partners to identify barriers and create a pathway for the scaling of HVO100 that addresses budget, operational and regulatory priorities.

Coles, General Manager of Sustainability – Brooke Donnelly:

“Thanks to this partnership with Cleanaway one of their trucks that collects organic waste at our stores in South-East Melbourne will run on a fossil fuel alternative made from used cooking oil for the next six months. It’s an excellent example of how we’re working with our suppliers to create a more sustainable future and achieve our sustainability ambitions. We look forward to learning about the results that we hope will drive change in the industry and fast-track our transition to a circular economy.”

City of Casey, Chair of Administrators – Noelene Duff:
“The City of Casey is proud to support Cleanaway with the launch of the kerbside collection vehicle powered using low-carbon, diesel alternatives. We encourage our community to keep an eye out for the bright blue truck operating exclusively on used cooking oil as it drives throughout Casey.
This emission reduction initiative is another step in the right direction in Council’s commitment towards zero net corporate emissions by 2030 in line with our Climate Action Plan.”

Neste, Head of Public Affairs Asia Pacific - Steven Bartholomeusz:
"Neste is very pleased that this demonstration kicks-off at a time when the Australian Government is carrying out a consultation to revise the Fuels Quality Standard to recognise renewable diesel as a fuel that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We hope that data from this demonstration project can provide insights into how renewable diesel can reduce emissions from heavy transport and industry."

Viva Energy, Chief Business Development and Sustainability Officer – Lachlan Pfeiffer:
“Viva Energy is delighted to be working with Cleanaway on delivering low-carbon fuel solutions, such as renewable diesel. This initiative builds on our partnership with Cleanaway to help lower carbon emissions in the heavy vehicle sector. We are also pleased to have Cleanaway as a partner in our New Energies Service Station project, which will see Viva Energy delivering green hydrogen to Cleanaway to power its first two hydrogen EV rubbish trucks, which we expect to see operating in Geelong before the end of the year.”

Bioenergy Australia, CEO – Shahana McKenzie:
“We are thrilled to see Cleanaway leading the way for Australia’s heavy vehicle operators with renewable diesel use, signalling to others the opportunities for decarbonisation presented by drop-in renewable liquid fuels.”

“Renewable liquid fuels are an essential piece of Australia’s decarbonisation strategy and will be crucial as a replacement for traditional fossil fuels used within major hard to abate sectors including heavy haulage, marine, construction, rail, manufacturing, mining and agriculture.”

“Bioenergy Australia welcomes the Albanese Government’s review of the Fuel Quality Standards to enable to the supply of renewable diesel and its addition to the National Greenhouse Energy Reporting scheme. Establishing clear and consistent policies that encourage and support the adoption of renewable liquid fuels is critical for market confidence and to stimulate investment, providing assurance to businesses like Cleanaway who are ready, willing, and able to make change.”