Network Rail and Mitie have won a Green Apple Environment Award this week for their efforts to reduce London Euston station’s carbon footprint and enhance its sustainability practices.
The award was presented to Network Rail staff and partners at Mitie on Monday 18 November in recognition of their collaborative work to vastly improve on-site recycling and waste reduction, contributing significantly to the station’s environmental impact.
The Green Apple Environment Awards are presented annually in recognition of companies, councils and communities carrying out projects that enhance the environment.
As the UK’s busiest managed station in terms of waste production, Euston station generates approximately 138 tonnes of waste monthly, with volumes peaking during high-traffic periods such as Christmas. By implementing a state-of-the-art waste sorting facility near platform 1, the Mitie and Euston teams have made substantial strides in waste management.
Key aspects of the waste reduction initiative include:
- Dedicated sorting tables and a baler machine for sorting materials such as cardboard, mixed paper, plastic, and coffee cups, ensuring these are removed from general waste and directed to recycling.
- Increased on-site recycling activity, reducing the need for external waste collections and lessening the station’s environmental footprint.
The Network Rail and Mitie partnership has achieved some impressive results:
- A 71% boost in recycling rates at Euston station.
- A 70% reduction in waste collections, saving time, resources, and emissions.
- CO₂ savings of 11,242.4 tonnes annually, contributing to the UK’s sustainability goals.
- Generating revenue from saleable recycled materials, offsetting the costs of staffing at the recycling centre.
- Created ten full time positions at Mitie.
Since this initiative started, Euston station has seen waste costs reduced by 50%, with general waste volumes significantly lowered due to the effective capture and sale of recyclable materials.
Gareth Parry, Network Rail’s station manager for London Euston, said: “We are incredibly proud to receive this award and to celebrate our team’s achievements at Euston station. Our commitment to creating a greener, more sustainable station has not only benefitted the environment, but has shown that sustainable practices can be cost effective and resource efficient.”
Lyndon Ashley, strategic account director at Mitie, said: “It’s been fantastic to build on our partnership with Network Rail at Euston station to develop this facility together and be able to deliver such great results. To have this recognised through this award is testament to all the hard work that has gone into this from all involved and the team who work on it day in, day out.”
Euston station and Mitie hope that their efforts inspire further sustainable initiatives across the UK’s rail network.
Image credit: Network Rail
