Republic Services Inc. has continued its fleet conversion to compressed natural gas (CNG) with the addition of 17 solid waste collection trucks to its Denver operations.

The addition brings the total of CNG vehicles throughout Colorado to 82 for the Phoenix-based Republic, according to a news release. That’s more than half of the 158 collection trucks Republic operates statewide.

Republic operates a Colorado CNG fueling station at its Commerce City location to support its expanding Denver CNG fleet. One-third of Republic’s fleet serving the greater Denver metropolitan area now is powered by a domestic fuel source.

“This fleet expansion represents a significant investment in cleaner, safer and more efficient vehicles locally,’ said Tim Oudman, Republic area president. “It also embodies the responsibility we assume for doing our part to preserve Colorado’s considerable natural beauty for future generations.”

Republic of Denver employs 300 people that serve more than 200 homeowners associations and municipalities, as well as more than 10,000 commercial customers. The company also owns and operates two landfills and one hauling division in the greater Denver area.

Republic now currently operates a fleet of more than 2,200 CNG vehicles and 38 natural gas fueling stations. Along with Republic’s other initiatives to reduce overall fuel use, the company is aiming to reduce fleet greenhouse gas emissions by 3 percent by 2018.

 Republic has placed a stronger effort on sustainability this year. In its March sustainability report it set the goals of increasing recycling capacity, reducing vehicle emissions, and expanding its landfill gas and renewable energy projects. Converting its fleet to CNG is part of that. Republic is also working to improve fuel efficiency and routing with its OneFleet standardized vehicle maintenance program, which strives to add one year of life to every Republic vehicle.

In May the firm announced it will establish a 20-megawatt landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE) facility near Los Angeles, at its Sunshine Canyon Landfill.

Meanwhile, its financial performance has been strong, as its net earnings and revenue rose for its second quarter.