Rail steel, ballast and concrete sleepers are key components of the railway. They are only recycled to a small extent at the end of their service life. The company wants to change that by 2030.
Deutsche Bahn wants to recycle important building elements more in the future. The recycling rate for rail steel is to rise from the current 25 percent to 45 percent by 2030, said Katrin Habenschaden, Head of Sustainability and Environment. The rate for track ballast is to increase from the current 13 percent to 40 percent in the same period, and for concrete sleepers from the current 6 percent to 30 percent. “We want to implement a complete circular economy by 2040,” emphasized Habenschaden. It initially remained unclear in what form the old building materials could be reused.
Deutsche Bahn wants to become climate-neutral by 2040. According to the company, the reuse and protection of resources is an important pillar in this, alongside other areas of action such as climate, nature and noise protection. “Sustainability is a central part of our corporate strategy,” said Habenschaden. “Because only with the environmental benefits of rail can we justify the necessary, massive investments in this mode of transport.”
Source: Stern
