Greater Anglia composts leaves as heavy as a hippopotamus!

Train operator Greater Anglia has gathered together more than 3.5 tonnes of leaves over the past three years – the same weight as a hippopotamus.

The leaves, taken from seven stations across the network, are then composted.

Skips placed at Ingatestone and Newport stations in Essex, Broxbourne station in Hertfordshire and Norwich station in Norfolk have been filled with leaves from station car parks and forecourts.

Greater Anglia set up the programme with cleaning contractors Carlisle Cleaning Services in 2019  to help stop waste going to landfill.

To date, 3.62 tonnes of leaves have been converted into compost – but this figure does not include all leaves collected this autumn and winter.

Stephanie Evans, Greater Anglia’s environment and energy manager, said: “We’re reviewing every opportunity we can take to increase recycling and reduce waste across our business.

“Sweeping up leaves and sending them off to be composted not only keeps stations clean, tidy and free of slippery wet leaves for our customers, but it’s also great to be reducing the amount of waste we send to landfill too.”

Alex Orr, Carlisle Cleaning’s managing director, said: “We are thrilled to be able to support this environmental initiative on behalf of our valued client, Greater Anglia.

“We aim within our operational activities, wherever possible, to reduce environmental harm, minimise the use of energy and other resources, and ensure that the principles of sustainable development are promoted where possible.”

Greater Anglia pledged all 56 of its station gardens to Wild East, a re-naturing movement aiming to restore 20 per cent of East Anglia back to nature.

A survey of station gardens found over 200 species of flora and fauna, including rare butterflies and slow worms.

The train company has recently started taking part in a two-year national air quality monitoring pilot at five of its busiest stations.

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