Eurostar, the European high-speed train operator, has just presented its 2024 sustainability report, with a clear focus on circularity. The company opts for sustainable materials and strategies when designing new terminals and lounges. And there’s another noteworthy initiative: surplus sandwiches will be processed and converted into craft beer.
“Since May 2024, we have converted unused sandwiches from Eurostar Premier on our continental routes into craft beer, thanks to our partnership with the French Pain de Minuit brewery,” explains Gareth Williams, General Secretary of Eurostar. “And we are currently working on expanding this to our Channel routes.” Today, the beer is available on board Eurostar trains on routes between France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.
Pain de Minuit
Pain de Minuit is a lager with character brewed from unsold dry bread collected from “Responsible Waste” partner sources. The attack on the palate is full and generous. The refermentation in artisanal bottles gives it a roundness and a character so specific to Belgian beers.
Also, the food on board is taken as seriously as sustainability. Menus are made with locally-sourced seasonal ingredients. Coffee pods are repurposed after use, and any leftover coffee is turned into compost. The pods themselves are incinerated for energy. Unsold Eurostar Café food in London is redistributed via Olio to local communities; Paris donates unsold items to charities.
Other sustainable projects
Eurostar has also announced other sustainable projects. For example, the new lounges in Paris and Brussels, set to open later this year, will feature recycled furniture and details like a dedicated cocktail bar and refreshed seating/work areas.
Interior notes in the Paris Gare du Nord lounge include black-and-white tiled floors, oak panelling, Calacatta Viola marble, and European furnishings (e.g., Gebrüder Thonet ‘Hideout’ armchairs). The Brussels Midi lounge features a central island bar, refreshed seating/work zones, and Belgian-made pieces (e.g., Muller Van Severen lighting, Heerenhuis tables).
Finally, Eurostar also reports a new cycling policy, where you can buy parking tickets at the same time as your train ticket for a Channel route.
Mission statement
“Sustainability sits at the heart of everything we do, and our strategy focuses on three key areas: lowering carbon emissions, increasing circularity, and growing connections.”
“We’ve set ourselves the ambitious target of purchasing enough 100% renewable energy to power our trains by 2030. We’re focusing on using resources efficiently and reducing the waste we create. And we’re teaming up with a growing number of rail partners to offer more connections to give you even more flexibility when planning your trip.”
