Starting in March, biofuel derived from Sainsbury’s food waste will power half of the HGVs at the retailer’s Emerald Park distribution centre. This innovative approach aligns with the growing focus on sustainability within the food and beverage packaging industry.
Waste processor RenECO collaborates with Sainsbury’s to convert food waste that is unsuitable for donations or animal feed into biogas through anaerobic digestion. The output from this circular system—biogas—will then be transformed into a liquid biofuel specifically designed for HGVs.
In contrast to traditional methods that mix certified biomethane with non-renewable gases, this system guarantees that all fuel originates solely from Sainsbury’s waste.
Saving on Emissions
This initiative is set to reduce Sainsbury’s carbon dioxide emissions by over 3,000 tonnes annually—an amount equivalent to the yearly electricity consumption of 1,950 households.
Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s chief property and procurement officer, stated: “Today’s announcement underscores the power that collaboration has in driving impactful change across business.”
“We are proud to have worked closely with our supplier RenECO to deliver a pioneering move that supports our commitment to circularity and helps us to take a further step towards becoming net zero across our operations by 2035.”
Circular System
The circular system not only enhances sustainability but also allows for accurate tracking of carbon emission reductions, contributing directly to Sainsbury’s scope 1 and 2 emission reduction targets.
Sainsbury’s transition to food waste-powered trucks follows similar initiatives by Walkers Crisps last year.
In partnership with logistics provider Stobart, Walkers Crisps will utilize five million litres of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to fuel HGV journeys over 11 million miles throughout the UK this year.
Additionally, new mandatory food waste separation and collection laws are scheduled to take effect in England from 31 March 2025.
Starting next month, all businesses (with a few minor exceptions) in England must comply with the new ‘Simpler Recycling’ reforms. These reforms, part of a broader strategy by Defra, aim to enhance recycling rates and streamline waste management, while significantly reducing the amount of food waste sent to landfills.
