Rail passengers wait for a train on a platform at the main train station in Berlin on October 8, 2022 following major disruption on the German railway network. An act of “sabotage” targeting communications infrastructure was to blame for major disruption on the German railway network on Saturday, operator Deutsche Bahn said. Photo: VCG

 Deutsche Bahn passengers will be able to get their coffee in a porcelain cup from 2023, the German rail operator said on Tuesday, as it looks to reduce waste.

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

"Reusable" cups, plates and bowls will be offered to customers free of charge and without a deposit for all orders from the trains' onboard bistro, the statement said.

The current plastic and cardboard packaging would still be available at the request of customers.

The change will bring Deutsche Bahn's services in line with new rules coming into force in Germany on January 1, 2023.

From 2023, restaurants and cafes will have to offer their to-go products in reusable packaging. Single-use packaging will not be banned but an alternative must be offered free of charge.

"Deutsche Bahn is driving forward its green transformation in onboard catering," said passenger services chief Michael Peterson.

As part of its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint, "over 50 percent" of the dishes offered on Deutsche Bahn trains have been vegan or vegetarian since March, the company said.

The operator has set itself the target of being carbon neutral by 2040.