You may have noticed new Voorhees Township trash vehicles collecting your trash this week. We became the first township in the area to purchase Compressed Natural Gas trash trucks. We had been researching the possibility of converting to alternative fuel vehicles for several years, and in 2012, we were awarded a grant from the Clean Cities Coalition to help offset the cost of purchasing three CNG trash trucks.
Our CNG trash trucks are some of the cleanest vehicles in commercial production today and produce only 5–10 percent of the emissions allowable even by today’s most stringent standards. In addition, they produce 20–30 percent less greenhouse gases than our old diesel vehicles. CNG vehicles reduce nitrogen oxide emissions and reactive hydrocarbons (the principal ingredients of smog) by as much as 95 percent. It is estimated that each CNG truck converted is equivalent to removing 300 new cars from the road.
CNG vehicles produce 90 percent less noise than diesel vehicles, and CNG emits fewer odors than diesel motors.
The new trucks also make sense economically. CNG is a regulated commodity and CNG is currently $2 per gallon less than diesel. We expect to save $35,000 in fuel costs next year as a result of our conversion to CNG. In addition, CNG vehicles do not have the internal combustion wear and tear of diesel motors, and current users of CNG vehicles report spending 10 percent less on vehicle maintenance.
There are currently three CNG fueling facilities we will use in the area, and Camden County is currently constructing a facility in Lindenwold that is anticipated to open in the spring. Several other fueling facilities are in the planning stages as the demand for CNG vehicles is expected to grow. There are currently more than 10 million CNG vehicles on the road but unfortunately only 2 percent are in the United States.
Voorhees Township will continue our efforts toward environmental sustainability and look to purchase more CNG vehicles in the future.
Santa’s arrival
Santa Arrival Celebration – “I Believe!” — Presented by ACME at the Voorhees Town Center on Friday, Nov. 15.
Families will enjoy holiday character meals with more than a dozen strolling characters with the restaurants on the Boulevard from 5 to 6:30 p.m. followed by Santa arriving down the Boulevard at 6:30 p.m. with the help of a few of his friends. The parade will include SJ3 performing on their float, the Voorhees Fire Dept., Acme Food Cart Brigade, the Laurel Springs Antique Pumper truck, holiday characters and so much more. Our annual 36 foot Christmas tree lighting will be held followed by photos with Santa and mall wide activity. Bring a non-perishable food donation with you to benefit Twin Oaks Community Service and children will receive a free holiday thank you gift. Donations may be made to the Acme Shopping Cart Brigade or to the Event Welcome table. Thank you in advance for your generous donation. Restaurant reservations are suggested.
Visit www.voorheestowncenter.com for details of event.
