08/09/2008

A joint initiative between South West Trains and Network Rail will see the introduction of facilities for passengers to recycle their newspapers when they arrive at London Waterloo every morning.

The three month trial, which started today, will see newspaper recycling bins located on platforms one and two, three and four, 15 and 16 and 17, 18 and 19.

With more and more free papers being distributed at stations there is a real need for facilities to make recycling easier. Around 75,000 issues of the Metro are handed out at South West Trains' stations per day, which is around 12 tonnes of paper – the equivalent of a fully loaded Routemaster bus.

Andrew Fairbank, South West Trains' Head of Stations, said: "We are calling on all passengers to dispose of their newspapers at the designated recycling bins. An indirect benefit, which is not only to our passengers but also to the whole world, is that less waste goes to landfill therefore reducing the adverse affects on the environment.

"The vast majority of our passengers are responsible and help keep our trains and stations clean, but by adding this facility it can only improve this further and help the environment at the same time."

South West Trains, part of Stagecoach Group, has organised to have a designated member of staff at each recycling bin to assist passengers.

Once the trial is complete, the companies will measure the success and consider extending the scheme on a permanent basis.

Stagecoach Group is continuing a major drive to make its own business more sustainable and attract more people to travel by bus, coach, train and tram. The Group's wide-ranging strategy includes investment in renewable fuels and cleaner engines, state-of-the-art energy efficient facilities, water and waste recycling initiatives and offering businesses green travel incentives for their employees.

ENDS

For more information please contact the South West Trains' press office on
020 7620 5229.

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Stagecoach Group is a leading international public transport group, with extensive operations in the UK, United States and Canada. The company employs around 30,000 people, and operates bus, coach, rail, and tram services.