The city of Boca Raton is going green with garbage collection

BOCA RATON, Fla. - You've heard of hybrid cars, even hybrid SUVs and large pickups.  However, Boca Raton is now home to a first of its kind hybrid.

The city is getting a little greener with its garbage! It's the first in South Florida to purchase the high tech hybrid garbage truck that gets rid of waste, without wasting any energy itself or giving off harmful emissions.

The city, with financial help from the American Lung Association, purchased the new $285,000 vehicle this fall.

Tony Remige, the fleet maintenance superintendent for the city of Boca Raton says "The particular truck is a hybrid because of the H-L-A or hydraulic launch assist. Which helps move it from stop- to-stop in our routes."

Unlike a Prius, the hybrid uses hydraulic assist technology which is better for the frequent stop and go work a garbage truck would do.  This system basically captures and stores the trucks momentum when slowing down, then re-uses it when accelerating.

"We should save 20-30% in fuel economy." Remige says.

An added benefit, the same system that captures that energy, also slows the truck down, reducing the need to hit the brakes.

"And this should increase the brake life on these vehicles 2-3 times as much as before. With this saving were able to extend the cost out to other areas of the truck and improve the way the truck is being used," said Remige

So the end result of the hybrid technology is a cleaner environment through fewer emissions and greater fuel efficiency.

Remige says, "Together with bio diesel were able to lessen our dependency on foreign oil."