Mitie partners with Network Rail to tackle waste at Euston Station

Overview of the challenge

Mitie Waste was tasked with supporting Network Rail’s major hubs to increase recycling levels, deliver cost savings, increase rebates and support retailers within the stations to move to more sustainable practices. This started with London Euston, which produces the most waste of any managed station in the UK (c.138 tonnes each month), rising considerably during seasonal periods such as Christmas.

Using data from sources including Mitie’s Waste Management Information System, we identified significant volumes of recyclables being included in the general waste stream. This included paper, cans, glass and plastics, which were going to incineration instead of being recycled.

Once we understood the composition of the general waste and dry mixed waste streams, the key to driving change was engaging with the client and their onsite tenants and retailers. Our aim was to encourage businesses to dispose of their waste using the correct channels.

Our approach

Following a detailed cost-benefit analysis, Mitie Waste recommended trialling a modular mini–Materials Recycling Facility (mini-MRF) system at Euston station, which included additional resource to operate the system. This was agreed and commissioned in October 2023.

The process:

1. A ‘Trackersack’ system was introduced across all retailers within the station. This means they were provided with barcoded bags which, once full, were collected by Mitie operatives to be scanned and weighed. The waste type and weight could then allocated to that bag/retailer. This meant that they could be accurately charged for disposal and we could monitor the level of waste and recycling rates from each retailer.

2. The waste from these bags was brought into the sorting station. All liquid contamination was removed and safely managed, and waste was sorted by material type (for example, card/paper, aluminium, plastic, film, etc).

3. The segregated materials were then consolidated via compactors and balers.

4. Collections were arranged and the materials transported directly to the on-site processing facility.

The partnership between Mitie and Network Rail is fantastic and has been for many years. They’ve worked tirelessly to make this operation come to life and already we’re seeing the benefits of it, both financially and efficiently, and our carbon footprint has been reduced.

Gareth Parry, Station Manager, Network Rail

The results

Euston has since become a much more sustainable station. Before starting the trial, 138 tonnes of waste were being collected from Euston via 45 collections per month.

After the first four months of the trial, waste costs had reduced by 50% versus historical spend. This has been achieved through driving volume reductions in general waste by capturing saleable commodities (card, plastics, cans etc).

Overall recycling performance at the station has increased from 10% to 81% and collections have decreased by 70%. General waste collections have gone from five a week to one, offering an annual carbon saving of 11,242.4 tonnes CO2e since the start of the scheme.

Rebates are now being claimed against recycling goods that were previously being sent to incinerators, which are ploughed straight back into the station to offset the costs of keeping the mini-MRF in operation. The scheme has also included the recruitment of local operatives to manage the operations.

As well as the outstanding carbon savings, the end of year forecast is a 74% reduction in costs, with zero to landfill being maintained throughout.

Why choose Mitie?

We’re changing the conversation about waste. From throwaway culture to a circular economy.

With our resource-not-waste philosophy, we’re not driven to empty more bins or dispose of more waste. We want to eliminate it before it’s even created. With Mitie, you can reduce waste creation, carbon emissions reduce costs.