SUEZRecycling & Recovery in Partnership with South Glos Council
Recycling Trucks
South Gloucestershire Council - recycling collection vehicles
South Gloucestershire Council, a unitary authority in the south west of England, work closely with Suez to provide local people with weekly recycling collections. The waste service includes sorting recycling at the kerbside with single-pass collection vehicles.
A brief to create durable, eye-catching vehicle graphics
We had a long-standing relationship with Suez, so were asked to create vehicle graphics for South Gloucestershire’s brand new fleet of 41 recycling vehicles. In South Glos, waste is sorted at the roadside rather than at a facility. This is achieved by using a vehicle that contains multiple stillages (big metal drawers!) The resident does some sorting, but recycling is mostly organised at the roadside by the council waste collection team. Then when they get back to base, the sections of the vehicle are pulled out and emptied into the appropriate recycling containers.
This system results in high quality recycling, with a lower overall carbon footprint than more traditional collection methods. It also has the benefit of being a very visible way for local authorities to promote recycling. The design of the vehicle, with the stillages, means the vehicle graphics have to be exceptionally high performing. As well as being exposed to the elements, the vehicle is constantly being touched, splatted by rubbish and pulled about!
We needed to produce a durable, high performing vehicle wrap solution that wouldn’t lose impact, style or functionality over time.
A vehicle wrap solution that won’t fade or peel over time
Using approved graphics from WRAP, we created branded vehicle signage that clearly represented the South Glos brand and demonstrated to the community what was being recycled. The vehicles were reassuring to customers who could see clearly what their council were doing to tackle waste.
By labelling the compartments, the recycling team could also see what needed to go into each stillage, reducing the chances of contamination.
Our experience meant we understood the unique adhesive challenges for vehicle wraps operating in waste management environments. By using a high quality print process, and trusted products that have been tried and tested for this specific setting, the final wraps were pristine.
Once completed we sent our team of highly experienced fitters to site, where they completed 41 vehicles in 30 days. By using appropriate quality materials and professional fitters, the fleet will experience less downtime in the future because South Glos won’t need to keep paying people to change graphics! If properly maintained, our vehicle wraps are made to last, so are more cost effective over time.
Guidance for customers caring for vehicle signage
The longevity of the vehicle graphics is not just about the quality of materials and installation. It is also imperative that the customer understands how to care for their graphics long-term.
We made sure South Glos had every opportunity to keep their graphics looking brilliant for as long as possible by supplying a comprehensive care sheet which gives clear instructions on how to look after vehicle graphics.
Working with us and following our advice, means the recycling vehicles in South Gloucestershire will surely go the distance without looking rubbish! If you need to get your vehicle signage wrapped up pronto, then get in touch with our expert team.
What we did
Graphic artwork
Replacement graphics
Vehicle graphic production
Vehicle graphic fitting
