The TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU) used the opportunity of Global Recycling Day yesterday, to set out the progress it is making towards sustainability.

TRU argues that recycling and reusing play a crucial role in delivering a cleaner and more environmentally friendly railway.

The Global Recycling Foundation set up Global Recycling Day with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of recycling, and to explain how useful waste can be as a resource.

Recycling is an important part of the TransPennine Route Upgrade’s Sustainable Development Strategy, known as ‘Our Guiding Compass’.

Ninety per cent of TRU projects are now in the design and delivery phase, meaning that recycling is a key issue.

TRU is delivering a very large project, so it is using a large volume of natural resources and materials to build and maintain its infrastructure. Its programme offers commitments to managing materials efficiently and cutting out waste wherever possible.

TRU has set itself a target of recycling or reusing nine-tenths of waste generated during construction. It is currently exceeding this target, recycling or reusing 96.3% of materials.

It has also set itself a target of diverting 99% of construction waste from landfill.

It is exceeding this, having diverted 99.15% of waste since the start of the programme, standing at 99.15%.

TRU is applying the principle of ‘circular economy’. This means that it maximises the use and value of materials for as long as possible, by ensuring that designs eliminate waste from the outset.

Last year, TRU used composite sleepers for the first time, during Christmas works at Osmondthorpe Lane bridge.

This reduced the project’s carbon usage by 71%. Composite sleepers have been used on the UK’s mainline railway since 2021, and were recently used on a viaduct in Ledbury in Worcestershire.

“Our focus on recycling drives our efficiency, but also reflects our commitment to national efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of infrastructure.

“The programme is currently exceeding targets for recycling and reusing waste, with positive strides being made in following principles of circular economy and our carbon footprint – outlined in detail in our 2024 sustainability development report – clear to see.

“I’m proud of what we’re able to showcase this Global Recycling Day, and how large programmes such as TRU have a duty to set such an example.”

Anna Humphries, Head of Sustainability and Social Value, TransPennine Route Upgrade