Zero-carbon battery collection

Thanks to cargo-bike innovators, Zedify, an exciting new zero-carbon battery collection scheme is now operating in Plymouth. The scheme—named Re-Volt—is powered by Valpak, a business, who also carry out the work across Cambridge, London, Brighton, Southampton and Hereford. Re-Volt is the first scheme of its kind in the world.

By using cargo bike carriers instead of diesel vans (which would normally emit 298g of CO2 per mile), tailpipe emissions become non-existent.

As well as improving air quality, the scheme aids in maintaining a pleasant city for pedestrians and cyclists. Zedify Plymouth’s bikes and trikes are proven to be up to 60% faster than vans in urban spaces, too, helping to prevent congestion and in turn, excess pollution levels.

Zedify have collected a total of 1500kg batteries for recycling over 50 separate collections, covering an average distance of 12km per collection. In total, the team have saved more 121kg CO2 from polluting the city. The carbon savings since the scheme started in Plymouth in June 2022 have continued to grow.

Local businesses can get involved with Re-Volt easily. Valpak supplies battery boxes completely free of charge to businesses across the city, which are then collected (also free of charge) by Zedify cycle couriers. Zedify Plymouth are a parcel courier, so the collections take place whilst other items are being delivered – making the process even more sustainable.

Tom Scruby, national operations manager at Zedify, said: “The partnership between Valpak and Zedify has been an unparalleled success, proving that zero-emission vehicles complete city centre collections of this type more efficiently than diesel vehicles. We have only received positive feedback from customers and local authorities alike.”

Read more about the project on the Zedify website.