Dive Brief:

• GreenWaste, a California-based hauler and recycler, announced it has signed the North American waste industry’s first purchase agreement for Hyzon’s hydrogen fuel cell refuse vehicles. 
• The company’s decision follows a recent pilot of the vehicles in multiple areas of northern California. The vehicles will operate in the Bay Area.
• The company has agreed to purchase 12 vehicles, built in partnership by Hyzon and New Way Trucks. The first vehicles could be delivered by Q4 2025.

Dive Insight:

Hydrogen has been gaining attention as another alternative to diesel at a time when certain state and federal requirements are starting to force companies to take action to further reduce fleet emissions. Battery electric and compressed natural gas vehicles still remain the more common option for North American refuse haulers, especially CNG, but the hydrogen push has support from notable companies.

Hyzon and New Way debuted their vehicle at WasteExpo in May, with an announcement that Recology would be the first company to test the vehicles on a trial basis. The California hauler reported positive results from its own pilot in August, with CEO Sal Coniglio saying in an interview that the truck “is exceeding our expectations.” A showcase event that month drew the likes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.

Recology did not respond to a request for comment about whether it also plans to order any vehicles from Hyzon.

During its own trial period, GreenWaste said the vehicle “completed several trial routes throughout the Bay Area, testing for payload, can-lifts and range.” Tests were conducted on routes in areas such as San Jose, Santa Clara County, Atherton and Los Altos Hills.

“This latest investment in zero-emission technology reinforces our leadership within the industry and commitment to recovering, recycling, and reusing waste materials in the most innovative, environmentally responsible, and reliable ways possible,” said CEO Tracy Adams in a statement, noting the company had also previously “made history” by commercially operating the first full-size electric collection truck.

GreenWaste, which is a portfolio company of Macquarie, set targets last year to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions by 45% by 2030, and have net-zero emissions by 2040. In its most recent report, released this year, GreenWaste said it had completed a transition to 100% renewable or alternative fuels for all equipment — including a mix of electric, natural gas and other sources.

While hydrogen is attracting investment and attention, it still faces questions about cost. During WasteExpo, a representative for the company said these fuel costs are expected to come down over time. He also touted the lighter weight and better power density of hydrogen fuel cells relative to other options.

“GreenWaste has been a long-time, valued New Way partner and, together with Hyzon, we are making the biggest steps forward to decarbonize the solid waste industry — with no compromise on range or dependency on the grid,” said Don Ross, chief sales officer for New Way, and chairman of the National Waste & Recycling Association, in a statement.

This summer, Hyzon announced plans to narrow its focus to North America and prioritize core categories such as refuse collection vehicles. The company also recently announced it started production on a new single-stack 200kW fuel cell system that it said would allow for the manufacturing of these units “at volume for commercial sale.” 

Fueling infrastructure is also nascent, though GreenWaste said it is pursuing multiple options.

“We are exploring all long-term solutions for hydrogen fueling and have an interim solution in place for the initial FCEVs,” said Director of Communications Fredrick Ghai via email.