Next stop: Plastic-free - SJ phases out microplastics together with Grale

SJ is replacing plastic lined paper cups and plastic bags with Grale's patented and plant-based alternatives. Grale's products are biodegradable and free from microplastics. The switch covers millions of single-use products each year and is part of SJ's major sustainability initiative in Sweden.

SJ has been working to reduce plastic in its bistro offering since 2021. The switch of cups and bags is the biggest step taken so far.

"Together with Grale, we are taking an important step forward with a new plastic film-free cup on board our trains. For us, this is more than a collaboration - it is a partnership with a company that genuinely wants to make a difference. Grale is a fantastic success story, with a drive and commitment we support one hundred percent. This is about real sustainability and about giving our customers the opportunity to make better choices, every day, on their journey with us." Sofie Struwe, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, SJ

Conventional paper cups have a thin plastic film on the inside that makes them leak-proof. This film releases microplastics into the beverage, something that research links to serious health risks. Grale's solution is a Swedish innovation based on patented technology. Unlike traditional paper cups, it contains no plastic film and therefore releases no microplastics into the drink. The cup is also certified as recyclable, meaning it can be sorted and recycled as paper.

In recent years, microplastics have been found in human blood, lung tissue, hearts, and brains. Research links microplastic exposure to conditions including cardiovascular disease, hormonal disruption, and reduced fertility. Removing plastic at the source - in the products that are manufactured and procured - is one of the most effective ways to reduce its spread.

"The fact that SJ, Sweden's largest restaurant by volume, chooses us to phase out plastic across its entire bistro range is the highest possible endorsement and proof that the technology delivers. This is not a pilot. It is a full rollout from day one - millions of plastic items removed from the tracks - and plastic is replaced without the customer having to think about it." Allen, CEO and Co-founder, Grale

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