VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) has been making steady progress towards creating a zero waste experience since unveiling its sustainability plan in April 2022.

The company has been focusing on reducing packaging and materials in Business and Economy classes and the improvement of waste collection on board its Corridor fleet with a view to achieving a zero waste experience by 2025.

Amongst key changes implemented as part of its journey towards offering a zero-waste experience on its new Corridor fleet, VIA Rail:

• Changed plastic cups, resulting in a 25% decrease in plastic use;
• Reduced sandwich packaging saving the equivalent of more than six tons of waste annually in Economy class;
• Completed in-class training of more than 70% of employees working on board trains to improve recycling and prepare for zero-waste objective.

Rita Toporowski, Chief Customer Officer, said: “The key changes recently implemented are just the beginning of our zero-waste journey and we are pleased that our customers are already able to see improvements on our current fleet as we progress towards our objective of offering a zero-waste experience on our new Corridor fleet by 2025.”

“Determined to embed sustainability in every aspect of our operations, our zero-waste initiative exemplifies the vision we have for VIA Rail as a sustainable, modern and accessible mode of transportation.”

VIA Rail will also use reusable glassware and water pitchers within Business Class instead of plastic as each new Corridor train enters service, along with reusable cutlery and crockery. The change, enabled by the configuration of the new fleet, will allow for a reduction of plastic bottles used in Business class of more than two tonnes annually.

VIA Rail’s sustainability plan focuses on governance, social and environmental pillars which will allow the Corporation to reduce its environmental footprint, enhance its role as a responsible transportation provider and create lasting value for present and future generations.

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