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Marks & Spencer has started delivering food using sewage-powered lorries as the retailer races to hit net zero targets.
The supermarket giant has rolled out a fleet of vehicles that run on biomethane, a fuel derived from waste products including food, animal manure and wastewater.
The biomethane fuel is a by-product of the organic waste’s decomposition, as the gas generated is then compressed to be used in the lorries.
Fuel derived from waste is thought to be as much as 40pc cheaper than diesel, while it also produces 85pc lower carbon emissions.
M&S is adding 50 waste-powered vehicles to its food supply chain, where it shuttles ingredients and products between warehouses.
Another 30 vehicles will be used to transport clothes and homeware.
It comes as the retailer steps up efforts to hit its green energy targets. Bosses have vowed to hit net zero by 2030 across its own operations and 2040 for its supply chain.
M&S said that almost 10pc of its total transport fleet would be low-emission after all of the 80 waste-powered vehicles were introduced.
It marks the latest in a series of green initiatives by the company. Last year, it announced a £1m investment to cut harmful gases in its dairy cows’ flatulence. M&S said that by changing what it feeds cows, it hoped to cut around 11,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
Companies are under mounting pressure over green targets as Labour takes a harder line on net zero commitments, such as reinstating the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.
The Government is also plotting a new green levy on retailers and food manufacturers, which will penalise them for using plastic packaging over paper or cardboard. Retail chiefs have warned that this will push up food prices for customers.
Ministers have claimed its drive is part of an attempt to “end our throwaway society and stop the avalanche of rubbish filling up our streets”.
On Monday, Lilian Greenwood, the transport minister, welcomed M&S’s move to add more eco-friendly vehicles into its supply chain, saying: “We’re working with business to lead the charge towards innovative zero-emission vehicles.”
Julian Bailey, the head of group transport at M&S, said: “We’re committed to reducing carbon emissions from our transport and through collaboration we are able to reduce carbon, save energy and drive operational efficiencies across the business.”