The RSSB (Rail Safety and Standards Board) has developed a new set of metrics including station waste, depot waste and the amount of recycled content in rail assets and infrastructure, to help better quantify waste reduction across the sector.
RSSB will use the new measurements as part of its work with rail organisations to help implement better data collection plans and strategies.
Other metrics will examine the provision of environmental training, the amount of surplus food generated and the proportion of procurement activities that include sustainability in their criteria.
“This project has established tangible and measurable metrics for the rail industry’s management of waste and recycling, and represents a significant step forward towards achieving the goal of zero waste,” said RSSB sustainable rail strategy lead Thom Rawson.
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He added: “Ricardo’s systematic and collaborative approach has produced the right results, most importantly ensuring that the recommendations are supported by the rail industry. This is key to ensuring they are put into practice”.
“The information gathered using these metrics will be an important element of RSSB’s sustainable rail data framework, through which we are building a data-led understanding of rail’s sustainability credentials”.
Ricardo head of circular economy Andrew Dunwoody said: “Ricardo’s circular economy experts have been delighted to work with RSSB on this leading-edge project, looking to identify and develop metrics to support the implementation of their zero-waste goal.”
“Our recommendations will stimulate greener engagement across the GB rail industry, and advance circular activity and understanding. The metrics we have identified will enable consistent monitoring and reporting of circular performance across its assets, infrastructure and operations,” he added.
He continued: “This represents a significant step forward in how the industry reports its environmental performance, building upon existing waste management practices whilst future-proofing itself against upcoming market and legislative changes.”
