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Sustainable Rail Freight Solutions for Waste Transport

DB Cargo UK provides rail freight solutions for waste transport, moving everything from construction spoil and inert materials to municipal waste.

Each year we transport more than 750,000 tonnes of construction waste for customers including FCC Environment and Day Group, helping to take trucks off congested roads while delivering a cost-efficient, low-carbon alternative to road haulage.

With our own terminals at Cricklewood and Tinsley, plus access to other customer-operated sites, we offer a flexible and reliable service tailored to the needs of waste operators across the UK.

DB Cargo UK provides rail freight solutions for waste transport, moving everything from construction spoil and inert materials to municipal waste.

Each year we transport more than 750,000 tonnes of construction waste for customers including FCC Environment and Day Group, helping to take trucks off congested roads while delivering a cost-efficient, low-carbon alternative to road haulage.

With our own terminals at Cricklewood and Tinsley, plus access to other customer-operated sites, we offer a flexible and reliable service tailored to the needs of waste operators across the UK.

Why rail freight works for waste

The UK waste sector faces growing challenges: landfill diversion targets, rising HGV costs, road congestion, and the pressure to reduce CO₂ emissions. With over 10 years experience, DB Cargo UK provides safe, compliant and efficient rail services that deliver real benefits:

  • One 22-wagon train carries more than 1300 tonnes of waste, replacing up to 81 tipper trucks.
  • Rail is often cheaper than road for long-distance waste transport.
  • Rail freight produces up to 70% less CO₂ than road haulage.
  • Fewer trucks mean improved air quality and reduced congestion.

Why rail freight works for waste

The UK waste sector faces growing challenges: landfill diversion targets, rising HGV costs, road congestion, and the pressure to reduce CO₂ emissions. With over 10 years experience, DB Cargo UK provides safe, compliant and efficient rail services that deliver real benefits:

  • One 22-wagon train carries more than 1300 tonnes of waste, replacing up to 81 tipper trucks.
  • Rail is often cheaper than road for long-distance waste transport.
  • Rail freight produces up to 70% less CO₂ than road haulage.
  • Fewer trucks mean improved air quality and reduced congestion.

End-End waste logistics

We offer a complete end-to-end logistics service. Material is received by road, stockpiled, and transported by rail in open box wagons. At the destination, it is offloaded and transferred onto third-party trucks for final delivery to customers.


Our operations are designed for flexibility - whether it’s running additional trains, investing in wagons for specific projects, or adapting routes at short notice. This means we can support both long-term contracts and ad-hoc campaigns, giving customers a cost-efficient, and sustainable alternative to road haulage.

FCC Environment

DB Cargo UK has partnered with FCC Environment for more than 20 years, providing rail and terminal management services across multiple UK sites.

In 2023, when landfill capacity became constrained at one of the key terminals, FCC faced a risk to its operations. DB Cargo UK stepped in with a flexible rail solution:

  • Set up a temporary material handling site at Appleford.
  • Invested in additional wagons and trained staff on a new route.
  • Moved waste out of London, offloaded it at Appleford sidings, and re-loaded on to trucks to be delivered to Sutton Courtenay landfill. 

Over a six-week campaign, we successfully stored and transported 25,000 tonnes of waste, proving our ability to adapt quickly, invest in solutions, and keep customer operations moving.

 

“DB Cargo has been our Rail Partner, Terminal Operator, and Waste Handler for over 20 years.

They move approximately 1 million tonnes of construction waste for FCC annually and manage four key rail terminals for loading and offloading services, with more in planning.

Our working relationship is extremely good, and communication is simple and easy.

The service levels we expect are consistently delivered, and I would have no hesitation in recommending DB Cargo as a reliable Freight Train Provider and a highly competent Terminal Operator.”

– Roland Williams, General Manager, FCC Environment

Get in touch with our expert.

Sales Team

Telephone +44 (0) 1302 575000

E-Mail sales@deutschebahn.com