Rail operator unveils new recycling initiative to make Brighton Britain’s greenest train station

• The new initiative from the UK’s largest rail operator aims to boost recycling rates at the city’s station to 95%

Britain’s largest rail operator, which operates Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern services, is strengthening its commitment to the UK’s green recovery this National Recycling Week (20-26 September) with a new initiative in Brighton.

Aiming to deliver the highest recycling rate of any station on the rail network, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is aiming to increase Brighton station’s recycling rates to 95% from an average of 30% over the last year through a new Mobile Segregation Unit (MSU) installed at Brighton station.

Currently 12% of the total waste collected across GTR’s 800-mile network comes from Brighton; prior to the pandemic, in an average year the station produced 650 tonnes of rubbish.

The new unit will segregate, wash, compact, bale, weigh and electronically tag all waste from Brighton station, as well as all Southern and Thameslink trains running to and from the city, in partnership with innovative sustainability start up, The Green Block.

Since installation last month the MSU has already prevented over 32 tonnes of waste going to incineration, and if rates remain at the same level, the initiative will recycle nearly 400 tonnes between now and September 2022; the equivalent of 80 elephants’ worth of waste.

As part of its wider sustainability strategy, the rail operator is installing 1,300 new cycle parking spaces to stations, developing 90 landscaping and rewilding projects and offering opportunities for local young people to gain horticulture qualifications through 18 station projects across the Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern routes.

Govia Thameslink Railway’s Infrastructure Director, Keith Jipps, said: “Brighton station’s MSU will be one of several major sustainability successes across our network and we are delighted to have seen a phenomenal increase in the station’s recycling rate in this first month.”

The new initiative has been welcomed by Green Party Councillor Jamie Lloyd, who visited Brighton station to learn more about the MSU and meet the teams coordinating the ambitious new project.

Jamie Lloyd, Councillor in Withdean ward, Brighton and Hove said: “It’s fantastic to see this facility in action and to see so much recycling happening here in Brighton station. I’m amazed at how small the footprint is, that they are already recycling 91 per cent of waste and aiming for even higher. It’s a brilliant opportunity for Brighton and Hove and Govia Thameslink Railway.”

Josh Katz, Client Services Manager from The Green Block, added: “Everyone at The Green Block (TGB) is delighted to be working with Govia Thameslink Railway to support this forward-thinking, innovative approach to waste, delivering world class recycling rates.”

The new MSU at Brighton is the second of its kind on the UK rail network, with one installed at London Victoria by Network Rail in June 2020.

ENDS

For any further information please contact Spider PR on: GTR@wearespider.com or 0207 403 6900

GTR’s station improvement programme:

GTR’s network-wide, multimillion-pound improvement programme involves over 1,000 projects, many suggested by local passenger and community groups, at more than 250 stations. While we’re working hard to achieve the punctuality and reliability our passengers rightly expect, we want them to know we are with them all the way and making their stations better places to pass through.

The vast number and range of improvements can be described under three themes:

1. Giving many stations a better ambience by redecorating, planting and installing artwork, often with substantial input from the local community; we’ve commissioned over 200 pieces of community art

2. Making stations work better for passengers, improving comfort and safety with new waiting rooms and shelters, seating, lighting, information screens, defibrillators for public use, and accessibility schemes; we’ve installed nearly 3,000 new seats and over 100 information screens

3. Making stations more sustainable, with schemes such as electric vehicle charging points, secure facilities for cyclists, rainwater retention systems, and even bee gardens; we’re providing around 1,300 new cycle parking spaces

Read the latest on the Improving Your Stations programme here: https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/govia-thameslink-railway/pressreleases/making-stations-sustainable-gtr-supports-local-wheelers-wildlife-and-workforces-3123759

To find out more about The Green Block MSU visit: https://www.tgb-msu.co.uk/