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Resource conservation
Management approach and targets
Every year, more resources are used worldwide than nature can regenerate in the same period. We have an increased need for resources due to our construction activities. For us, this means we need to use raw materials carefully, keeping them in the value chain for as long as possible and recycling our waste whenever possible. As part of an environmental analysis conducted by us in 2020, the great importance of resource protection was confirmed by our stakeholders. Within various formats of our stakeholder dialog, we inform our stakeholders about our targets, measures and their progress in the area of resource protection.
We are striving to achieve a complete circular economy throughout DB Group by 2040, with a special focus on the Integrated Rail System.
Our particular focus is on the increasing use of recycled materials and renewable raw materials. Our procured products should also have maximum recyclability.
Conserving resources
Period: October 1 to September 30.
* 2019 dataset, database expansion expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
Use of materials in track infrastructure | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Ballast (thousand t) | 3,471 | 3,638 | 3,186 |
Share of recycling (%) | 11.4 | 10.7 | 16.2 |
Machine ballast processing (million t) | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.5 |
thereof directly recycled | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.7 |
Concrete ties (thousand) | 2,089 | 2,590 | 2,400 |
Share of recycling (%) | 13.3 | 10.4 | 10.0 |
Period: October 1 to September 30.
We will significantly increase the recycling proportions in the products we procure by 2030 compared to 2019. In 2022, we set binding targets for our central resources (track ballast, concrete ties and rail steel), which represent around 80% of the total material used in the Integrated Rail System, in order to consistently increase their recycling share. In addition, we will maintain our recycling rate at a high level of at least 95%.
For the maintenance of the track network, we have established a material cycle for ballast and concrete ties:
- In 2022, around 533,000 t of unusable concrete ties were removed (previous year: 535,000 t). The concrete ties are, where feasible, reworked for reuse in the track network. Concrete ties that are not suitable for this are recycled by certified disposal companies and used for other applications, such as road or path construction.
Recycling rate
Volume of waste according to type of waste and disposal procedure / thousand t | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Construction waste | 7,657 | 8,342 | 7,656 |
Recycling | 7,449 | 8,069 | ‒ |
Thermal utilization and disposal | 208 | 273 | ‒ |
Scrap | 363 | 327 | 331 |
Recycling | 362 | 327 | ‒ |
Thermal utilization and disposal | 0.2 | 0.1 | ‒ |
Electronic scrap | 1.3 | 3.8 | 1.8 |
Recycling | 0.9 | 3.3 | ‒ |
Thermal utilization and disposal | 0.4 | 0.5 | ‒ |
Municipal waste | 71.1 | 55.3 | 53.6 |
Recycling | 37.8 | 23.7 | ‒ |
Thermal utilization and disposal | 33.3 | 31.6 | ‒ |
Paper | 32.6 | 37.9 | 31.4 |
Recycling | 31.0 | 37.2 | ‒ |
Thermal utilization and disposal | 1.6 | 0.7 | ‒ |
Waste oil | 2.0 | 1.7 | 1.8 |
Recycling | 1.8 | 1.4 | ‒ |
Thermal utilization and disposal | 0.1 | 0.2 | ‒ |
Other 1) | 61.0 | 61.7 | 58.1 |
Recycling | 32.8 | 32.5 | ‒ |
Thermal utilization and disposal | 28.2 | 29.2 | ‒ |
Total waste | 8,187 | 8,830 | 8,134 |
Recycling | 7,916 | 8,495 | 7,771 |
Thermal utilization and disposal | 272 | 335 | ‒ |
Recorded for the first time in 2021 according to the new GRI Standard 306: Waste, thus only limited previous year’s figures available.
Period from October 1 to September 30; DB Schenker January 1 to December 31 of the previous year.
Individual values do not add up due to rounding differences.
Excluding DB Arriva. DB Cargo AG is the only part of the DB Cargo business unit included.
The waste has been generated through company activities and is managed by third parties outside DB Group.
1) For example paint, varnish, sludge and other maintenance-related waste.
Volume of hazardous and non-hazardous waste / thousand t | 2022 | 2021 |
Hazardous waste | 385 | 477 |
Share of recycling (%) | 62.0 | 67.9 |
Share of thermal utilization and disposal (%) | 38.0 | 32.1 |
Non-hazardous waste | 7,802 | 8,352 |
Share of recycling (%) | 98.4 | 97.8 |
Share of thermal utilization and disposal (%) | 1.6 | 2.2 |
Total waste | 8,187 | 8,830 |
Period from October 1 to September 30; DB Schenker January 1 to December 31 of the previous year.
Individual values may not add up due to rounding differences.
Excluding DB Arriva. DB Cargo AG is the only part of the DB Cargo business unit included.
In 2022, a total of around 0.6 million t less waste was generated. The main driver was the construction waste, which decreased by about 8%. The recycling rate was 96.7%. By using targeted measures, such as selective decommissioning and contractual commitments to sorting and recycling facilities, we kept the share of recyclable waste high and the share of waste destined for disposal or incineration at a very low level.
Of the waste generated in 2022, about 95% (previous year: 95%) was classified as non-hazardous. This includes, for example, municipal waste and the majority of construction waste. The remainder, about 5%, includes waste that presents a risk to health or the environment – for example waste oil or contaminated waste wood. Special procedures ensure that this waste is disposed of safely. Here, too, we consider the conservation of resources and look at opportunities for recycling or thermal utilization of waste.
Outlook
Anticipated development | 2022 | 2023 |
| Recycling rate (%) | 96.7 | >95 |
We will continue to keep the recycling rate at a high level in 2023.