Procurement Professional is the official publication of CIPS Australasia

Sustainable procurement on track at UK 's Network Rail

12 Aug 2010

Source: Supply Management

The UK firm Network Rail looks likely to make a quarter of its spending sustainable on seven key materials by 2014. The firm, which is responsible for the UK’s railway infrastructure, published news of its sustainability target in its 2010 corporate responsibility report.

In the past 12 months, the company has implemented a sustainable procurement strategy focused on the following seven major materials: ballast, steel, transmission oil, fuel, paper, timber and concrete.

Network Rail is also working with its suppliers to source more sustainable timber. Approximately 75,000 wooden sleepers and bearers are needed each year for track maintenance and the company’s target is for at least 95 per cent of its track timber to come from sustainable sources.

What it learns from focusing on the seven materials would influence its further integration of sustainability across its supply chain, the company said. Network Rail is working with Cira the construction industry research and information association and Action Sustainability to integrate sustainability into its supply chain. The firm has set up a sustainable procurement steering group for this program.

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