- The retailer and its supplier RenECO introduce innovative, fully circular, change to HGV fuelling
- The shift away from diesel will save over 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, supporting Sainsbury’s ambition to reduce scope 1 & 2 emissions to become net-zero across operations by 2035
- The move will power trucks at the business’ Emerald Park distribution centre from March this year
Thursday 20th February 2025 – Sainsbury’s is set to revolutionise its logistics by transforming food waste into fuel for a number of its HGV trucks. From next month, the pioneering initiative will see biofuel produced directly from Sainsbury's food waste power 30 trucks at its Emerald Park distribution centre in Bristol, half the site’s fleet. This will save over 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to the yearly electricity consumption of 1,950 households*.
Waste processor RenECO currently works with Sainsbury's to turn food waste that can’t be donated or used for animal feed into biogas via anaerobic digestion. This circular system will now use the output of this anaerobic digestion, the biogas, to create a liquid biofuel suitable for HGVs.
Unlike traditional methods that mix certified biomethane with non-renewable gases, this system ensures all fuel comes directly from Sainsbury’s waste. By working together, the retailer and supplier have shown how collaboration is key to unlocking new ways of reducing environmental impact.
The circular system also allows for precise tracking of carbon emission reductions, contributing to Sainsbury’s scope 1 & 2 emission reduction target.
Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Chief Property and Procurement Officer, commented: “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.”
For more information on Sainsbury’s Plan for Better commitments, visit: Plan for Better | Sainsbury's.
ENDS
Notes to editors
* 1 tonne of CO2 is equivalent to the electricity consumption of 0.65 average households a for a year. What Exactly Is 1 Tonne Of CO2? | Anthesis Group
About Sainsbury’s
Offering delicious, great quality food at competitive prices has been at the heart of what we do since John James and Mary Ann Sainsbury opened our first store in 1869. Today, inspiring and delighting our customers with tasty food remains our priority.
Driven by our passion for food, together we serve and help every customer. We help everyone eat better by enabling customers to improve their diets while reducing their impact on the environment, one plate at a time.
Our focus on great value food and convenient shopping, whether in-store or online is supported by our brands – Argos, Habitat, Tu, Nectar and Sainsbury’s Bank. Sainsbury’s has over 600 supermarkets and over 800 convenience stores. Argos is a leading digital retailer and is the third most visited retail website in the UK, with over 80 per cent of its sales starting online. Argos is conveniently available for customers to collect from hundreds of Sainsbury’s stores. Digital and technology enables us to adapt as customers shop differently and our profitable, fast-growing online channels offer customers quick and convenient delivery and collection capability.
Our colleagues are at the heart of serving and helping our customers every day and are vital to our success, now and in the future.