The Briggs Equipment North West 200 team, together with Balloo Hire, has announced new green initiatives for this year’s road racing spectacular, which takes place from 6th – 9th May.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Oliver McMullan met with NW200 Race Director, Mervyn Whyte MBE, Group Strategic Development Manager Briggs Equipment, Stephen Marshall Event Manager, Ciaran McKay to hear firsthand about the new developments in environmental sustainability.
“The NW200 has always aimed to reduce its environmental impacts and the steps we are taking, including the partnership with Balloo Hire Centres, will help us achieve our goals,” said Mervyn. “Their exciting range of sustainable products and their support is greatly appreciated.”
Councillor Oliver McMullan welcomed the initiative, saying: “Events like the North West 200 are hugely important to our local economy and community, and it is encouraging to see such a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
“The steps being taken this year demonstrate how major events can continue to grow while reducing their environmental impact. Council is proud to support these efforts and promote responsible, sustainable practices.”
The NW200 was awarded an Accreditation in Environmental Sustainability in Motorsport on 31st March 2026 by Motorsport UK. This year’s objectives are set to significantly reduce resource use and consider environmental impacts, including careful waste management and recycling in partnership with Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council.
The collaboration with event sponsors Balloo Hire – part of the Briggs Equipment Group – has really advanced the NW200’s ability to achieve its ambitious green targets. The NW200 Media Centre will again be powered with a Hussh Pod battery storage unit, giving unparalleled performance while reducing both harmful CO2 emissions and noise pollution. In addition, these units offer significant fuel savings – both on-site and logistical fuel. Hussh Pods will also be used at other paddock locations and it is estimated that around 40,000kgs of CO2 will be saved by their use during race week.
Standard generators in the main paddock will run on HVO, a sustainable and synthetic diesel alternative. HVO – short for hydrotreated vegetable oil – is a renewable fuel produced from vegetable oils and fats. It’s a direct drop-in replacement for traditional diesel, meaning it can be used in existing engines without modifications. HVO is known for its high sustainability and low carbon footprint, offering up to a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels.
Ciaran McKay, Balloo Hire Event Manager said: “Our commitment to environmental responsibility extends beyond traditional construction hire projects and we are excited to support the iconic NW200 racing event with our vast range of eco-friendly equipment solutions.
“By integrating sustainable machinery into this prestigious event, we are not only enhancing event efficiency and reducing its environmental footprint but ultimately demonstrating our dedication to reducing carbon footprints in every facet of industry. Together, we’re proud to help the drive towards a greener, more sustainable future for motorsport and beyond.”
Stephen Marshall, Group Strategic Development Manager, added: “Briggs Equipment demonstrates strong sustainability credentials through comprehensive environmental strategies, including achieving ‘Carbon Neutral Britain’ certification, planting a tree for every truck sold, electrifying their fleet, and promoting green technology. Our focus on ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) involves reducing operational emissions and assisting customers with decarbonisation.”
The fuel used by this year’s NW200 competitors will be provided by Euro M-Sport. Although still a fossil fuel, it is formulated to not only provide power for the race but also reduce the amount of carbon emissions when burned. Furthermore, as the fuel is a standardised fuel source for all the bikes at the NW200, race officials will have a more accurate benchmark of the emissions being produced and the overall impact of the event on the local environment and air quality. The efficient method by which fuel is supplied to each racer also means there is less waste, which also gives the event a better environmental footprint. The officials’ compound will have specific recycling stations and plans are in place to further extend at-source waste recycling in the future.
For the first time, Milwaukee Tool will provide a generator to power the tyre warmers for the some of the leading bikes on the grid – offering portable, reliable power ideal for demanding racing environments. Milwaukee, sponsors of the opening Superbike race on Thursday, are an industry-leading manufacturer of Heavy-Duty Power Tools, Accessories, Outdoor Power Equipment, for Professional Users worldwide.
For more information on Balloo Hire’s vast fleet of environmentally sustainable hire services, visit their website at www.balloohire.com or call 0800 1 970 970 for a free quote.
In the photo from left to right: Mervyn White MBE, Event Director NW200, Stephen Marshall, Group Strategic Development Manager Briggs Equipment, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Oliver McMullan, Gerard McAuley, Environmental Officer NW200 and Ciaran McKay Event Manager, Balloo Hire Centres.
