Running for a year, Wyke Farms will supply a large proportion of the supermarket’s green gas, which makes up 6% of Sainsbury’s total gas use. This will save over 16 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per day or 24,000 tonnes over the length of the supply partnership. This equates to over 5,000 cars driven for one year based on average mileage.

Wyke Farms has a strong bond with the Somerset countryside and became one of the first national food brands to be self-sufficient in green energy in a long-term sustainability plan called Wyke Farms 100% Green. Its goal is to create a sustainable working farm that sources all of its electricity and gas from solar and biogas, generated from the farm and dairy waste, which is currently of no value.

“We are delighted to be supplying Sainsbury’s with green gas for their stores” said Wyke Farms managing director Richard Clothier. “Supplying customers with gas as well as cheese, taking waste back in return, all forms part of the type of circular approach where everyone is a winner – especially the environment!”

Paul Crewe, Sainsbury’s head of sustainability, engineering and energy, added: “We are always looking for innovative ways to reduce our impact on the environment. Our partnership with Wyke Farms shows the commitment we have to drive down our carbon footprint in what we are sure will be an efficient and sustainable way.”