Launching Public CNG Fueling Station
Homewood Disposal is making a commitment to the environment by transitioning to compressed natural gas as fuel for many of our trucks. Compressed natural gas, or CNG, is an alternative to gasoline and diesel. It consists mostly of methane and is the same natural gas used in homes to power your stove. Some benefits of using CNG include:
- It is colorless, odorless, non-toxic, and emits nearly 90% fewer emissions than gasoline
- CNG is found in the United States and is readily available
- Natural gas trucks are quieter as they drive down your street
Beyond that, we chose CNG because it is domestically produced and safer. The prices are more stable and we can discontinue our dependence on foreign oil producers for our fuel. It also creates jobs for our fellow citizens here in the United States which boosts our economy. CNG is safer because the storage tanks are stronger and therefore less likely to have a spill, and it helps the garbage trucks run longer than gasoline would (Clean Energy).
We began transitioning to trucks that run on compressed natural gas in 2012 and since then have introduced 60 CNG trucks into your neighborhoods. You may have noticed them, or maybe not, because they’re quieter than diesel trucks. If you do notice them, our CNG trucks feature a picture of a nature scene on the side to remind us of the beautiful landscapes we are helping preserve.
Our first CNG fueling station was installed in Park Forest, Illinois specifically for our trucks to refill on compressed natural gas to prepare for the morning pickups. But we have exciting news— in mid-August, we are opening the area’s first CNG fueling station! So any vehicle that runs on CNG can fill up at our Homewood location, which works just like a regular gas pump. This public CNG station is part of our ongoing commitment to cleaner neighborhoods and a healthier environment for our community and the world.