PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability is focussed on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, maintaining and improving the natural systems that support life, and achieving a balance between economic, social, and environmental well-being.
Greenway Rail has developed a set of principles which represent its core values when designing new products. These principles are:
Virgin Materials
Where possible, virgin materials should be reduced, or eliminated
Recycled Materials, Including Industrial Waste
Developing strategies to reduce the rail industry’s carbon footprint, such as through the use of renewable energy sources and energy-efficient technologies
Maintenance Requirements
The design should ensure low maintenance so that financial and environmental costs are kept to a minimum throughout the life of the product
Sustainable Construction Methodology
The product should employ a construction methodology that has reduced environmental costs
Service Life
A long service life will reduce the fiscal and environmental costs of replacing the product due to wear
Whole of Life Costs
The capital, operational and removal costs should be considered
Fitness for Purpose
The product needs to be fit for purpose across a range of installation requirements
Carbon Emissions
Total carbon emissions of manufacturing, transport, maintenance, and decommissioning should be considered
Reduction in Global Warming
The product needs to result in an overall reduction in global warming