UK supermarket Sainsbury’s said this week that it will start transforming food waste into HGV fuel for a number of its trucks, thanks to an extension of its partnership with waste processor RenEco.
From March, the biofuel will be produced directly from the grocer’s food waste to power 30 trucks at its Emerald Park distribution centre. Covering half the site’s fleet of vehicles, the retailer expects the move to save over 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
Waste processor RenEco already works with Sainsbury’s to turn food waste that can’t be donated or used for animal feed into biogas via anaerobic digestion. The extension of the collaboration means the food waste will be turned into liquid biofuel suitable for HGV fuel.
Sainsbury’s said that unlike traditional methods to make biofuel which involves mixing certified biomethane with non-renewable gases, this system ensures all fuel comes directly from Sainsbury’s waste.
The retailer noted that the “circular system” also allows for precise tracking of carbon emission reductions, and will contribute to Sainsbury’s scope one and two emission reduction targets.
Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s director of property, procurement, & EV Ventures, remarked: “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.”
Read more about Sainsbury’s on Green Retail World
[image credit: Sainsbury’s]
