A new initiative by Tesco aims to tackle the pressing issue of food waste by converting surplus food into animal feed.
- A facility in Northamptonshire will soon process 1,000 tonnes of Tesco’s surplus food each week, with broader industry implications.
- Bakery and fresh produce will be the initial focus, while meat and fish will be processed separately into pet food.
- Tesco has teamed up with engineering firm RenEco, urging others in the industry to join their efforts against food waste.
- An internal review catalysed this shift, highlighting discrepancies in previous food waste processing methods.
Tesco has announced its plans to open a state-of-the-art facility in Northamptonshire, which will address the significant issue of food waste by transforming surplus food into animal feed. This facility is set to process an impressive 1,000 tonnes of surplus food every week, aiming to make a substantial impact on the food industry’s waste management practices.
The new operation will primarily target bakery and fresh produce for conversion into animal feed. To accommodate different types of food waste, surplus meat and fish will undergo a separate processing method tailored for household pet food. This strategic focus ensures that various food waste streams are managed efficiently.
RenEco, an experienced engineering company, has been appointed to construct the facility. Tesco encourages collaboration by inviting other manufacturers and retailers to utilise this new resource, reinforcing the idea that collective action is crucial in combating global food waste.
Claire Lorains, Tesco’s Group Quality and Sustainability Director, emphasised the supermarket’s commitment to reducing food waste, stating, “Working together with RenEco means that we are able to create a viable solution to reducing food waste, and we would urge other businesses to utilise the new facility for their own operations too. Together, we can make a real difference in tackling food waste.”
This innovative approach follows an internal review that revealed previous food waste intended for animal feed was mistakenly redirected to anaerobic digestion. Consequently, Tesco adjusted its reported food waste reduction figures, which initially seemed higher when considering animal feed processing.
Tesco’s initiative marks a promising step forward in effectively reducing food waste within the industry.
