Please note, this was reissued in October 2022 as a Practice Information document. It was previously published in February 2022 as an Insight Paper. No material changes have been made to the document. For more information on the document category changes, see the text part way down on this page.

In 2016 Network Rail developed a strategic framework for its sites near railway lines being used for activities such as waste management, storage, processing, recycling and car breaking, as scrapyards, or for moving or storing materials such as scrap metal or chemicals. Network Rail now uses this framework to improve management of its waste-related sites and help minimise risks for itself and tenants alike, as well as supporting continued enhancement of infrastructure for recycling and reusing waste. The company defines waste sites as land that is leased for any waste-related use, or any use that involves bringing waste on or off site.

This Practice Information paper from RICS provides an overview of this Network Rail framework, its key component parts and illustrates best practice for both the leasing and management of such sites. Given the growing demand for sites suitable for waste related activity, by publishing this paper, RICS provides some key learnings for professionals engaged in advising landlords and tenants of such sites and provides an insight into how best to minimise risk for all concerned.

file_download

You may also be interested in

CityLife: redefining urban living sustainably

How have sustainability and wellbeing been incorporated into the design and construction of CityWave, the latest addition to the CityLife development in Milan?

Influence and Advocacy Monthly Update – April 2025

Over the past month, RICS has been actively engaging with UK Government departments, devolved administrations, and parliamentary committees to shape vital areas of policy concerning the built and natural environment.

The UK’s whole life carbon ecosystem: a framework for decarbonising the built environment

In a recent webinar, a panel of experts discussed four industry initiatives designed to measure, regulate, limit and track whole life carbon in the UK built environment.

Sustainable development in one of the world’s largest built environments: Meet Eric Wo FRICS

Sustainable development across the real estate industry is a key area of focus for RICS professionals across the globe – and one of the world’s largest built environments, China, is no exception.

RICS at UK Construction Week: Bridging the skills gap in the built and natural environment

This year at the UK’s largest built environment event, RICS will deliver a programme designed to promote knowledge transfer and professional growth across the industry.

Climate contracting in real estate: the role of greener deals in reducing global carbon emissions

Climate contracting integrates decarbonisation and sustainability goals into legal agreements. In a recent webinar, in partnership with The Chancery Lane Project, a panel of experts discuss how climate clauses can be effectively implemented into contracts.

From waste to value: how circularity is reshaping real estate and construction

What if buildings could become material banks, storing resources to be reused and repurposed for future projects? In a recent webinar with Drees & Sommer, experts explore how circularity is transforming the built environment.

High Level Construction Forum: key takeaways and launch of the Construction 2050 Alliance Manifesto

On March 25, 2025, the European Commission’s DG GROW hosted the Fifth Annual Plenary Meeting of the High Level Construction Forum (HLCF) in Brussels.

Why does the timing of carbon emissions matter in whole life carbon assessments?

Could professionals consider the time-value of carbon when making project-specific decisions? Anil Sawhney, head of sustainability at RICS, and Will Wild, Senior Engineer at Arup, examine the principle that emissions today should be valued differently from those emitted tomorrow.

Indexing resilience can help protect buildings against climate disasters

With the growing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, the need for building resilience is increasingly apparent. WBEF brought together experts at a recent webinar to offer insight on resilience and discuss a tool developed to increase the property market’s awareness of the concept.

Wicked problems in construction: managing the risks posed by using AI

What risks are associated with using AI in construction? In the final of this three-part series, four industry experts explain the steps industry can take to manage AI-related risks while capitalising on its benefits.

Minecraft Goes Green: Young minds build sustainable cities in new RICS challenge to close skills gap

RICS, in collaboration with global construction consultancies, has successfully completed a groundbreaking educational programme that introduces primary school students to careers in quantity surveying, project management, and digital innovation through the creative lens of Minecraft Education.