Source: https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13bbf-283c-73e2-8d6d-e1a6713d04a3/future-labs-challenge-brief-waste-sorting-and-segmentation [Skip to main content](#main-content) pendingGBopen procedureSuitable for SMEs # Future Labs Challenge Brief: Waste Sorting and Segmentation [London North Eastern Railway Limited](https://tendernation.io/buyers/london-north-eastern-railway-limited) Estimated value Not stated Published 11 Jul 2025 Deadline Rolling deadline ## Who can bid - Buyer says suitable for SMEs The buyer ticked “suitable for SMEs” on the notice. Anyone can still bid. - Buyer says suitable for VCSEs The buyer ticked “suitable for voluntary, community and social enterprises” on the notice. - Below-threshold contract Buyers cannot shortlist bidders on suitability before tenders are in, so everyone gets to submit a bid (except some larger works contracts). [Procurement Act 2023, section 85](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/section/85) - Open procedure Anyone can submit a full tender; there is no shortlisting stage. [More contracts for small businesses and VCSEs](/opportunities/for-small-businesses)## About this tender The Problem: DTFO train operators deliver over 300 million passenger journeys annually. Those customers and our colleagues produce waste; across our managed stations we process more than 500 tonnes every 4 weeks. Some of our stations have sorting hubs where waste is manually separated to extract food and recyclables, helping to improve waste segmentation on our networks, and we are looking at scaling this out to other stations too. However, this is a time-consuming and resource intensive activity.A lot of our trains arrive and depart from terminus stations, such as Manchester Piccadilly, or London Kings Cross. Removing the waste from the trains can be a time-consuming process that potentially leads to delays boarding passengers, or passengers boarding dirty trains, both of which impact the experience they have. In 2025, a new timetable will be implemented on the East Coast Mainline, introducing more trains than ever before, meaning more passengers and more waste. We therefore need a better way of collecting, sorting and managing our waste. Space is limited on board our trains, and although waste bins are located throughout, these are required to be frequently emptied with only a finite amount of waste able to be stored onboard ahead of arriving at a station where they can then be removed.Cleanliness and how we manage waste is a key driver of customer experience satisfaction. It is therefore important that we maintain and continuously look for ways to improve the efficiency of our waste management. The Challenge: How might we: Increase the amount of waste we sort at our stations making it a quicker and more efficient process? Automate waste sorting in stations to increase efficiency and accuracy of waste sorting? Store more waste onboard a train to allow for quicker removal and cleaning of services? Enable waste sorting on trains so that it removes the need to sort in station? Influence customer behaviour to sort their own waste to reduce cross-contamination of different waste types? Educate colleagues and customers so they know whether their waste is recyclable and which bin to put it in? ### Constraints: What the solution must work within Onboard solutions must exist within onboard space and regulations Public-facing bins within stations are subject to strict security requirements Solutions must comply with simpler recycling legislation Read full description ## CPV classification Refuse and waste related services Source Find a Tender (UK) · Notice ocds-h6vhtk-055d46-2025-07-11T08:51:06+01:00 [View official notice ](https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/ocds-h6vhtk-055d46-2025-07-11T08:51:06+01:00) Never miss a tender like this again Get AI summaries, deadline alerts and a bid pipeline for tenders matched to your business. Free to start. [Track tenders free ](/register) [Buyer profileLondon North Eastern Railway Limited: past awards and live tenders](https://tendernation.io/buyers/london-north-eastern-railway-limited)[SectorMore Sewage, refuse, cleaning & environmental tenders](https://tendernation.io/sectors/sewage-refuse-cleaning-environmental) ## More tenders like this [Legionella Consultancy Services South Norfolk Council 31 days left 16 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a145df-10ba-7014-b1c1-016db3ffb9a8/legionella-consultancy-services)[CVG Close & Cleaning Contract 2027 - 2029 Clyde Valley Housing Association Limited 31 days left 16 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a14571-33da-7157-81c2-c436f876675c/cvg-close-cleaning-contract-2027-2029)[Scrap Metal, LAB (Lead Acid Batteries) and Abandoned Vehicles Collection, Transportation and Recycling Leeds City Council 33 days left 18 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a14503-5842-73c7-b50c-d3b4f7df419a/scrap-metal-lab-lead-acid-batteries-and-abandoned-vehicles-collection-transp)[Provision of Window Cleaning Services Nottingham Trent University 31 days left 16 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a14503-5864-70da-bf83-bc4caf9b193f/provision-of-window-cleaning-services)[Provision of West Ardnamurchan Refuse & Recycling Collections Highland Council 31 days left 16 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a14495-7b01-724d-9e1e-a712a0c8d8d3/provision-of-west-ardnamurchan-refuse-recycling-collections)[Bishop Auckland College ~ Cleaning Tender Bishop Auckland College ~ Cleaning Tender 28 days left 13 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a14495-82dd-7270-80b1-225a2de20cdb/bishop-auckland-college-cleaning-tender)