Hywel Dda laundry gets clean and green

Hywel Dda Health Board’s Carmarthen Laundry Service has taken delivery of two eco-friendly trucks capable of cutting fuel bills by more than 15 per cent.

Based at Glangwili General Hospital, the Carmarthen Laundry Service employs a staff of 30 who launder bed linen, towels, gowns and other items for 18 locations across Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.

Both trucks feature streamlined curved roofs and lightweight, recyclable material which significantly reduce wind resistance. But despite the curved roof there is no reduction in the volume each truck can carry.

Laundry Manager Derek Upton explains: “The trucks are used to make collections and deliveries to 18 locations across Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion so it is vital that we get excellent value both in terms of fuel efficiency and quality.

“Our previous trucks were bought in 1999 and were only intended to be in use for around five years. Now, 13 years later, we are replacing them and we are actually retaining one of our old trucks as a spare. In 13 years we replaced one clutch, which says it all. But our new trucks, with their reduced weight, and aerodynamic shape, will allow us to minimise fuel consumption and thereby reduce our carbon footprint.”

Hywel Dda’s new trucks also include a Motor Stop Start system, which boosts economy and cuts emissions simply by switching off the engine whenever the vehicle is in neutral and stationary for three seconds – for example in heavy traffic or at lights – then switching it back on again automatically as soon as the driver takes their foot off the clutch.

Hywel Dda Health Board is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and ensuring energy efficiency in everything it does.

The Health Board’s Environmental Team are delighted to note the new vehicles are achieving savings of 15% on both fuel consumption and carbon emissions, demonstrating the benefits of using the latest technology available.

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