A & V Squires is to power its complete fleet of lorries, vans and plant vehicles with biodegradable diesel which will be produced at the company's own site in Southwell, Nottinghamshire.

The company, which is one of the largest plant hire and earth moving contractors in the East Midlands, has invested £75,000 in a 40ft biodiesel fuel plant capable of producing up to 15,000 litres of the 'green fuel' each week. 

The plant will be officially opened on Friday 4th February by Member of Parliament for Newark, Patrick Mercer.  

Squires' Plant Transport Manager, Mark Wilkinson, said: "We decided to make the investment in a bid to help minimise our impact on the environment. Producing our own biodiesel should cut our carbon emissions by up to 25%."  

The company already puts great emphasis on improving environmental performance and awareness and works hard with its clients to minimise waste and increase use of recycled materials.  

The biodiesel will be produced using waste vegetable oil supplied by renewable energy consultants, Mr Stompies, run by Tim Ford and based in Mansfield.  Mark added: "By converting used vegetable oil, we are taking it out of the waste stream where it can block drains and pollute waterways.  Another great way to help the environment." 

Another reason behind the decision to produce the green fuel is the company's work with the Environment Agency and British Waterways.  "A lot of our projects are situated around watercourses and include such activities as river dredging and lake construction." said Mark.  "When our plant vehicles are operating in these areas there has always been the potential for fuel leakage leading to pollution.  The use of biodegradable diesel, added to the fact that all the hydraulic oil used in our plant vehicles is biodegradable, will significantly reduce the risk."

Patrick Mercer MP, commented: "I'm extremely honoured to be invited to officially open the new biodiesel fuel plant. I'd like to congratulate A & V Squires in successfully transferring their vehicles and plant to biodegradeable diesel and, in doing so, helping to protect our environment."