Groot Industries, Inc. will be adding 20 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks to its fleet by the end of the year. These vehicles provide a cleaner alternative to diesel fuel and will significantly lower evaporative emissions.

The CNG trucks will decrease pollution from truck emissions by over 70% compared to diesel emissions. The trucks will decrease the company’s dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels while reducing the carbon footprint within communities that Groot currently services. Additionally, natural gas powered engines provide another benefit of being quieter than diesel engines with over 50% lower decibel levels.

Groot Industries serves nearly a quarter million homes every week in the Chicagoland metropolitan region and is the first refuse collector in the region to invest in CNG vehicles. Groot will open the first privately-held Alternative Fueling Facility in the Midwest. The CNG fueling station is scheduled to open in October of this year at Groot’s facility in Elk Grove Village.

“Groot is committed to investing millions of dollars into this operation to better serve our communities and the environment,” said Frank Hillegonds, Municipal Affairs Manager for Groot Industries.

Fleet conversion to CNG trucks at Groot will take a few years. The first vehicles will primarily be used for residential solid waste and recycling collection.

“Refuse companies are expected to be environmental leaders to the communities they serve”, said Frank Hillegonds. “We are excited to be on the forefront of this new technology and to invest in our communities with these quiet, clean-burning trucks.”

For more information about Groot, visit groot.com.

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Groot Industries, Inc. is the largest independent solid waste management services provider in the State of Illinois. The company and its subsidiaries have provided solid waste collection and other vital public services to northeastern Illinois municipalities and businesses since 1914, representing over 90 years of experience in the business. Groot focuses on integrated solid waste management, including source reduction of waste, recycling and landscape waste management.

Visit groot.com for more information or call (800) 224-1977.