The last straw: Lumo serves up new eco-friendly fruit drinks

Lumo, the Tyneside-based train operator, is taking sustainable travel to new heights with an exciting partnership with innovative UK drinks brand, Flawsome Drinks. This collaboration introduces a refreshing twist to onboard refreshments with apple juice made from ‘wonky’ and surplus apples, offering passengers a guilt-free, eco-friendly choice.

Flawsome Drinks, a B-Corp certified company committed to fair and green practices, crafts these delightful cartons from apples that would otherwise go to waste. Packaged in 100% recyclable paper cartons, the apple juice eliminates plastic entirely. The partnership is the latest move by eco-conscious Lumo in its dedication to provide the most sustainable travel experience by rail or air between Edinburgh, Newcastle and London.

Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director of Lumo, said: “Sustainability is at our core so partnering with Flawsome Drinks, who share our ambition to reduce waste and plastic from our operations was an exciting decision. We’re thrilled to offer customers a greener, healthier and more sustainable soft drink option when travelling with us.

“Together with Flawsome, we are setting new standards in sustainable travel we hope others will follow – travelling with Lumo shouldn’t just be good for your pocket; it should be good for the planet, too.”

Karina Sudenyte, Co-Founder and CMO of Flawsome Drinks, said: “Our drinks are deliciously sustainable, crafted from wonky and surplus fruit to prevent food waste. It’s fantastic that Lumo customers can now access healthy, vegan, and sustainable options onboard while supporting fair practices for farmers.

“Back in 2020, the UK government introduced a ban on single-use plastic straws, with much of our industry scrambling to find sustainable alternatives. We’re spearheading the paper revolution with our packaging and we’re thrilled that Lumo are fully on board.”

Lumo has also replaced plastic wine bottles onboard with recyclable cans made from recyclable metal. The product, packaged in County Durham, is also suitable for Vegans. This shift reflects Lumo's dedication to minimising non-recyclable products onboard by seeking sustainable alternatives.

Since its launch, the new sustainable option has got customers on the East Coast Mainline going bananas, with sales exceeding expectations in the initial weeks. Available on all Lumo services, this eco-friendly initiative marks a significant step forward in sustainable travel, setting high standards for the industry to follow.