Deutsche Bahn plans to focus more on circular economy principles for the steel used in rails, track ballast, and concrete sleepers. This was announced by DB CEO Richard Lutz at a sustainability forum in Berlin.
Accordingly, the recycled content of rail steel is to be almost doubled to 45 percent. For track ballast, a tripling to around 40 percent is even targeted. Overall, DB aims to save at least 300,000 tons of CO2 and around ten million tons of virgin material through the increased use of recycled materials. A fully circular economy is to be established by 2040.
"DB is continuing to drive its green transformation forward and is setting clear targets for resource conservation," said Lutz. "By increasing the recycled content of our main resources, we are taking a major step towards a circular economy, as these account for around 80 percent of our resource use at DB."
The company will place greater emphasis on sustainability criteria in tendering and awarding processes to facilitate the increased use of recycled materials. Furthermore, as a key market player, DB is focusing on strategic partnerships with industrial partners and suppliers to promote the development of recycled and recyclable products.
Even today, resource management plays a crucial role at Deutsche Bahn (DB): For example, DB procures resource-efficient trains, "greens" its onboard catering offerings by providing vegan, vegetarian, and organic dishes, and uses recycled eco-paving stones at train stations and stops. DB is also on the right track when it comes to waste management, with a high recycling rate of over 95 percent.
