New sustainability strategy launched as South Western Railway achieves zero waste to landfill

New sustainability strategy launched as South Western Railway achieves zero waste to landfill

Monday 01st October 2018
SWR highlights four focus areas for its future sustainability efforts

SWR has published its plans to better support local communities, develop innovative technology, support and develop its people and reduce its energy and resource use.

The strategy is announced as the company was listed as a finalist for a Green Apple Award after achieving its target of sending zero waste from all stations and depots to landfill ahead of schedule.

The strategy can be read here, with further details around SWR’s four sustainability focus areas:

Reducing our energy & resource use - increasing recycling to 90%, reducing energy used at stations, depots and offices by 41%, water by 18.8% and carbon emissions from our trains by 56%, optimising our buildings by upgrading our lighting and installing controls and generating clean energy from solar panels.

Innovative Technology - making the journey as comfortable as possible by investing in new technology, such as smart ticketing, mobile devices for staff, at seat infotainment and better Wi-Fi.

Employer of choice – developing and supporting a diverse, skilled and engaged workforce now and into the future through recruitment, engagement, apprenticeships and training programmes.

Communities and engagement - supporting local charities, community rail partnerships and improving accessibility. This includes a £2.6m Customer & Communities Fund and a separate £300,000 Isle of Wight Customer and Communities Improvement Fund, which has already seen £80,000 awarded to date, a community ambassadors scheme and better security on trains and stations.

Amelia Woodley, Head of Sustainability, South Western Railway, said: “The sustainability strategy underlines our work to support communities, the environment, our people and customers.

“We have already made big strides in a number of these areas in our first year, through our youth outreach programmes with the Princes Trust, a huge increase in recycling, the launch of our “Step Up” women in leadership scheme and more.

“We want to deliver positive change and we believe that a better railway is a sustainable railway.”

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