Recycling on the railroads - Railroad wants to recycle rails and ballast much more often
The German Railways (Deutsche Bahn) will strengthen recycling of key elements in the future. The recycling quote for railway steel is expected to increase from the current 25% by 2030 to 45%. The recycling quote for ballast is projected to rise from approximately 13% to 40% within the same time frame, and for concrete sleepers from nearly 6% to 30%. "We aim to fully implement a circular economy by 2040," emphasized Habenschaden. However, the specifics of how old materials can be reused remained unclear at first.
The Railways aim to be climate-neutral by 2040. According to their statements, resource conservation and reuse, along with other fields such as climate, nature, and noise protection, are essential pillars. "Sustainability is a central component of our corporate strategy," shared Habenschaden. "We can only justify the necessary, massive investments in the transport infrastructure with the environmental benefits of the railways."
The German Railways' commitment to environmental sustainability extends to Berlin, where they are exploring possibilities for recycling old railway tracks in construction projects. The use of recycled railway steel in construction could significantly reduce Germany's construction waste, benefiting both the environment and the city's development. German Railways, through its recycling initiatives, is demonstrated as a proactive player in Germany's push towards a greener future, aligning with the country's environmental goals.
