A UK division of the international DHL logistics group, DHL Exel Supply Chain, has started to investigate the possibility of operating its delivery vehicles using 100% biodiesel.

DHL has undertaken this project in partnership with JD Wetherspoon and Argent Energy UK, a producer of biodiesel. The project will involve recycling and re-processing cooking oil, previously used to cook meals in Wetherspoons pubs, for further deliveries back into the pub estate. 

Test runs on an initial trial vehicle will begin end of May to prove the feasibility and assess maintenance and operational requirements before rolling out the program to the wider distribution fleet.

Bill Bacon, National Account Director from DHL Exel Supply Chain said: “We are committed to being an environmentally responsible business and are always looking at innovative ways to create sustainable supply chains. This is a superb example of everyone’s collaboration into exploring new technologies and alternative fuels that could potentially lead the way into long term sustainability. As the leading provider of contract logistics services we have a responsibility to set best practise solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of our vehicles.”

Andy Hunter from Argent Energy, said: “We specialize in producing biodiesel by recycling by-products of other industries, specifically tallow and used cooking oil which are both by-products of the food industry. Our stringent quality assurance procedures ensure that all our output is of the highest quality and that we can produce biodiesel to customers’ precise specifications. More and more businesses are looking at ways to reduce their carbon footprint and we are delighted that our expertise has been called on in this innovative project.”