Deutsche Bahn to offer coffee in porcelain cup from next year

Deutsche Bahn passengers will be able to get their coffee in a porcelain cup from next year, according to the German rail operator, as it seeks to reduce waste.

Travellers will be able to choose a high-quality porcelain or glass option when ordering food and drink onboard its intercity and high-speed services, the company said in a statement.

It said that all orders from the trains onboard bistro will be offered free of charge and without a deposit. Plastic and cardboard packaging will still be available at the request of customers.

The change will bring Deutsche Bahn's services in line with the rules coming into force in Germany on January 1st. Restaurants and cafes will have to offer their to-go products in reusable packaging from next year onwards. Single-use packaging will not be banned, but an alternative must be offered free of charge.

The passenger services chief, Michael Peterson, said that Deutsche Bahn is moving forward with its green transformation in onboard catering.

More than 50% of the dishes on Deutsche Bahn trains have been vegan or vegetarian since March, as part of its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint, the company said.

By the year 2040, Deutsche Bahn has set itself a goal of being carbon-neutral.