Tuesday 10 May 2016

Sainsbury’s uses green gas to power UK stores

A number of Sainsbury’s supermarkets across the UK are now being powered by green gas.

Recycler ReFood collects food waste from two of the retailer’s depots in Sherburn-in-Elmet and Haydock and converts them into gas, heat and fertiliser at its anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities.

The gas is then exported to the national grid.

According to Sainsbury’s, the equivalent to 10% of its national gas usage is now generated through the partnership, with the food waste processor having already supplied stores with almost 50 million kWh of biomethane gas.

It adds 10 stores have already “significantly” increased their use of renewable energy while lowering utility bills.

Paul Densham, Utilities Buyer at Sainsbury’s said: “Increasing the sustainability of our UK stores is a key corporate priority and we’re making great progress in our drive to reduce food waste across the business. Working in partnership with ReFood allows us to effectively recycle our food waste while creating green gas.”

Last month Sainsbury’s announced it has become the first company in the world to use natural refrigerant trailers.