Sainsbury’s is converting food waste into biofuel to power 30 of its HGV trucks at its Emerald Park distribution centre in Bristol. From March, this initiative will fuel halve the site’s fleet and is expected to cut more than 3000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to the yearly electricity use of 1950 households.
The process, developed with waste processor RenEco, takes inedible food waste and converts it into biogas via anaerobic digestion. This biogas is then turned into a liquid biofuel suitable for HGVs, avoiding reliance on non-renewable gases.
Unlike traditional methods that mix biomethane with fossil fuels, Sainsbury’s approach ensures all fuel comes directly from its waste, allowing precise carbon reduction tracking.
Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s chief property and procurement officer, said: “We are proud to work with RenEco on this pioneering move, helping us achieve our goal of net zero operations by 2035.”