Sainsbury’s is set to transform food waste into fuel for 30 of its heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), for an annual reduction of 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

From next month, the initiative will see biofuel produced directly from the supermarket’s food waste used to power 30 trucks operating from its Emerald Park distribution centre in Bristol, half the site’s fleet.

Sainsbury’s already works with waste processor RenECO 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 that anaerobic digestion, the biogas, to create a liquid biofuel suitable for HGVs.

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The grocer said that, unlike traditional methods that mix certified biomethane with non-renewable gases, this system will ensure all fuel comes directly from its waste.

The circular system also allows for precise tracking of carbon emission reductions, contributing to Sainsbury’s Scope 1 & 2 emission reduction targets.

Sainsbury’s chief property and procurement officer Patrick Dunne said: “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.”