The UK's first ever bus powered on food waste and human poo has taken to the road today, as the company behind it claims it can provide a sustainable way to cut down emissions in polluted towns and cities.

The 40-seater Bio-Bus, which runs on gas generated through the treatment of sewage and food waste that's unfit for human consumption, helps to improve urban air quality as it produces fewer emissions than traditional diesel engines.

Running on waste products that are both renewable and sustainable, the bus can travel up to 300km on a full tank of gas generated at Bristol sewage treatment works – a plant run by GENeco, a subsidiary of Wessex Water.

GENeco general manager Mohammed Saddiq said: "Gas powered vehicles have an important role to play in improving air quality in UK cities, but the Bio-Bus goes further than that and is actually powered by people living in the local area, including quite possibly those on the bus itself.

"Using biomethane in this way not only provides a sustainable fuel, but also reduces our reliance on traditional fossil fuels."

The Bio-Bus can travel up to 300km on a full tank of gas, which takes the annual waste of around five people to produce. It will operate between Bristol Airport and Bath city centre.

Video courtesy of GENeco

Related