Waitrose leads the way in sustainable farming: Tractors powered by cow manure
Waitrose has made a groundbreaking move by becoming the first retailer in the UK to power its tractors with renewable biomethane gas produced from cow manure.
This innovative step is in line with Waitrose’s commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its own operations by 2035 and throughout its entire supply chain by 2050.
The Leckford Estate in Hampshire, Waitrose’s farm, serves as the testing ground for pioneering environmental practices. James Bailey, Executive Director of Waitrose, stated, “Two years ago, we challenged ourselves to use Leckford as an experiment in farming best practices, to pave the way for genuine solutions to help conserve our soil, air, and water for future generations, and our biomethane lagoon does just that. An innovative example to help our farm and hopefully other farms reach net zero.”
The process begins with manure produced by the farm’s 500 cattle. This manure is then harvested and upgraded on-site, producing fugitive biomethane. This biomethane not only fuels machinery but also significantly reduces carbon emissions. The facility, designed and built in collaboration with Bennamann and New Holland, includes a covered lagoon the size of two and a half Olympic swimming pools, which captures methane emissions from the manure. The captured methane is then refined into biomethane gas and used to power compressed natural gas (CNG) tractors.
This circular process, from cow grazing to producing manure and capturing methane gas, leaves behind natural fertilizer, promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Moreover, the facility’s monitoring system is powered by solar panels on farm buildings, further reducing its carbon footprint.
Waitrose expects this initiative to reduce the Leckford Estate’s carbon footprint by up to 1,300 tonnes annually, eliminating the need for fossil fuels to run tractors. While currently employing one biomethane tractor on-site, Waitrose plans to transition all six tractors to this eco-friendly alternative in the near future.
As part of their commitment to environmental stewardship, Waitrose intends to share their knowledge and findings with the farming community. The creation of biomethane gas holds the potential for farmers to generate additional revenue, reduce costs, and contribute to a sustainable future by selling excess biomethane or using it to create 100% natural fertilizer.
Waitrose’s investment in innovative farming practices aligns with their broader goal of becoming a business that protects the natural ecosystem, rather than just exploiting its resources. The retailer aims to pass on its knowledge and work towards a more sustainable farming system, ultimately helping other farms reduce their carbon footprint.
Waitrose’s biomethane facility aligns with the UK government’s net-zero targets and serves as a beacon of sustainable farming practices. This move underscores Waitrose’s commitment to environmental responsibility and sets a compelling example for the entire industry.
