free newspaper recycling
Request ID: FOI-1487-1819
Date published: 27 September 2018
You asked
Original email 16/8/18:
Hello. I run an environmental blog and I was hoping that you could tell me if the free papers that your cleaners collect are recycled?
If you could provide details on all your tfl services I would be really grateful.
Response 21/8/18:
thanks for your feedback form about your blog.
You may be pleased to learn that while we do not have recycling bins at stations we do send all our waste from stations, including newspapers, to a Materials Recycling Facility. The recyclable material is separated from the other waste and is sent for recycling. London Underground (LU) currently recycles approximately 75% of customer waste through this route.
We trialled paper recycling bins a few years ago at our stations, but the bins were contaminated with other litter which meant that we could not recycle the newspapers. As a result, we changed our approach and are now sending all customer waste to the material recycling facility and this is delivering very good recycling rates for us.
With regards to details on our services, I’ll need to pass your query and details to our Freedom of Information team; are you happy for me to forward your information?
Further email received on 1/9/18:
Thank you so much for your reply to my email, apologies for my delayed reply I have been away.
I'd very much like to hear from your other services if that is possible? Please send them this email address to use to respond to my query.
Thank you for taking the time to give me such a detailed response, it's good to know that you have such a high recycling rate!
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-1487-1819
Thank you for your request received on 1 September 2018 asking for information on whether the free newspapers distributed on our network are recycled.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we hold some of the information you require.
We are continually working to reduce the amount of waste on the network and we recycle waste collected on the network wherever possible.
Across the London Overground network, which is operated on our behalf by Arriva Rail London (ARL), we have designated mixed recycling segregation across station platforms for newspapers, plastics, cardboard, and cans. Cleaners and train care operatives take all of the recycling to mixed recycling bins, that ARL’s waste contractor collects and takes to a mixed recycling facility. The newspapers and other recyclable waste streams are sorted, baled and sent for onward recycling. London Overground currently recycles on average 70% of its waste.
All of the waste from our DLR stations and trains is sorted and recycled by our franchisee - Keolis Amey Docklands’ (KAD) waste contractor at their site in Barking. At present we recycle 62% and the remaining waste is used to produce Energy from Waste. KAD plan to increase the amount of recycling further.
London’s bus services are the responsibility of the bus operating company, under contract to TfL. Buses are cleaned at the end of each day or driver’s shift. Any newspapers left on the buses will be disposed of by the bus garage. We do not hold information on their recycling procedures.
If this is not the information you are looking for please feel free to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob
Senior FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
[email protected]
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