Tesco will open a new facility that turns its surplus food into animal feed, and has the capacity to process 1,000 tonnes of excess food every week.
Speaking to The Grocer, the grocery giant claimed the move could help “revolutionise” how the food industry tackles waste.
The move comes after Tesco joined more than 30 food businesses calling for government action to tackle food waste in March.
Tesco has hired engineering firm RenEco to build the facility in Northamptonshire, which is set to turn food waste into pulp or crumb animal feed.
Deliveries are set to be made to the site every week from November, with fresh produce and bakery the focus of the operation.
With 40% of the facility’s capacity used for the supermarket’s excess food, Tesco will also have the space to take waste from other manufacturers and retailers.
Tesco group quality and sustainability director Claire Lorains told the publication: “Food waste is a global issue, so we’re continually looking for ways that we can reduce this across our own business, and support others to do so across the wider industry too.
“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.”
Tesco also noted that where surplus food could be eaten by humans, it should go to them.
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