London Midland recycling rate reaches 80 per cent

London Midland has hit an 80 per cent recycling rate of all waste left at its station, depots and offices.

The company has reduced its carbon emissions from waste disposal by 680 tonnes per annum.

Greenstar UK was contracted by London Midland to sort waste rather than send it to landfill.

The main types of waste left on trains and at London Midland stations are newspapers, magazines, tin cans, plastic bottles and cups and plastic packaging.

Special mixed recycling bins where customers can sort their rubbish for themselves were installed at selected stations, as well as contracting a company who could sort out rubbish that had been placed in general waste bins.

All waste is taken to a materials recovery facility where it is then sorted into different types of recyclable, such as cardboard, cans, paper, plastic, by both hand and machine.

The separated materials are then taken to other facilities and reprocessed into new products, for instance waste paper is recycled into toilet and kitchen rolls and recycled plastics are used to make a range of products, including fleece clothing.

London Midland recycles approximately 2000 tonnes of waste every year.

Kathryn Jacques, Environment Manager at London Midland, said: "We believe we have hit upon a winning formula for easy recycling."

"It is vital that sustainability is embedded into procurement tenders for waste contracts to help customers and colleagues recycle more easily."

Further information:
London Midland