UK-based Network Rail will test run a new form of rail with sleepers made from recycled plastic, in an attempt to replace and cut down the costs of timber beams sourced from managed forest.
About 20t of plastic waste will be recycled for the new sleepers by Halifax-based i-plas, the designer and supplier of the sleepers.
If the test run is approved by the company for further continuation, then the new rail will run across parts of the network.
The main aim of the new rail is to make an environmentally friendly train by efficiently utilising waste.
