Lidl is set to power a transport fleet using biomethane produced from the supermarket chain’s food waste.

In the Republic, Lidl is working with Trim-based Food Surplus Management to collect the retailer’s food waste directly from their stores and three regional distribution centres.

The food waste will then be converted to renewable biomethane and used to fuel the fleet responsible for collecting the waste across the country. The biomethane fuelled HGVs will reduce carbon emission per truck by up to 93%.

Northern Ireland

Lidl’s Northern Irish operations have partnered with supplier McCulla Transport to launch a fully green transport fleet powered by biomethane.

This May, McCulla Transport will start to create biomethane gas at its anaerobic digestion plant in Lisburn, Co Antrim, to power its transport operation which delivers produce to Lidl stores in the region.

Support

Welcoming th announcement, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan said: “Achieving a circular economy, where goods and materials are retained and reused for as long as possible, is essential for Ireland to meet its climate ambition and to prevent wider environmental damage.

“This is why my department has committed to work in partnership with industry, retailers, and consumers through the Waste Action Plan to promote a more sustainable and responsible system.”

The news serves as an example of how anaerobic digestion integrates into the circular bio-economy, reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

So far, however, Minister Ryan has failed to commit to implementing the necessary supports to stimulate an anaerobic digestion industry in the Republic.