Waitrose has stopped sending food waste to landfill three months ahead of schedule.

Working with waste company Cawleys, the supermarket now sends food waste to anaerobic digestion, which converts it into energy that is fed into the National Grid. Where anaerobic digestion is not an option, in-vessel composting is used.

“It is an exciting time for the company as we extend our work with Cawleys to our remaining UK shops,” said Waitrose recycling and waste manager Mike Walters. “Anaerobic digestion has proven to be a sustainable way of eliminating the need to send it to landfill.”

Waitrose has also partnered with food charity FareShare to donate excess food to people in need. FareShare-accredited charities can collect surplus food directly from Waitrose branches.