What is waste?

Waste is an unwanted or unusable material, substance, or by-product. A material becomes waste when the producer or holder either discards it, intends to discard it, or needs to discard it. Examples include household waste, commercial waste, construction and demolition waste, and hazardous waste.

To assess whether a material is waste or not, remember that discarding doesn’t just mean ‘throwing it away’. Discarding also covers activities and operations such as recycling and energy recovery.

Why is waste important to Network Rail?

At Network Rail, we are a major producer of waste, generating a wide range of waste types. On average, we generate over 1 million tonnes of waste every year – which has significant financial impacts.

Not handling waste effectively can have major environmental, legal, financial and social implications.

What is Network Rail’s approach to waste?

We are transitioning to a circular economy way of thinking when buying materials and managing waste. All decisions we make should be made in respect of the Waste Management Hierarchy.

• Prevention – we should consider waste at the start of every project and design it out where possible. You can use the Resource Efficiency Workshop (REW) docs in the Attachments section of this page to help.
• Reuse – material should be reused for its original intended purpose, where possible.
• Recycling – if it is not possible to reuse the material or product, it should be recycled.
• Recovery – where recycling is not possible, waste should be incinerated with energy recovery, or used as landfill capping if it is inert waste.
• Disposal – the last option is landfill. This should be avoided if possible! We have a target for over 99.5% of all waste to be diverted from landfill.

If you’re an external contractor, please use the supplier portal to access Network Rail Standards. If you do not have an account you can request one here – Network Rail – Standards Account Request

Dealing with redundant assets

If your works involve redundant assets, follow the Disposal of Redundant Assets process reference number NR/L2/SCO/306.

Managing excavation waste and used track ballast

If you have excavation waste or have removed track ballast as part of your works, follow the Track Maintenance Renewal or Alteration – Used Ballast and Excavation Waste Handling process NR/L3/ENV/044.

Waste management for design and construction

If you are carrying out a PACE managed project, please refer to the relevant sections of the Sustainability Minimum Requirements for Projects – Design and Construction NR/L2/ENV/015 process.

Waste management at Network Rail

If you are responsible for any aspect of waste management within Network Rail. please refer to the requirements and guidance set out in Waste Management NR/L2/ENV/120.

Carrying waste

View Network Rail’s Waste Carriers Licence in the Attachments section of this page.