And so the cycle is complete. All food waste that cannot be sold or donated to humanitarian organisations to help people in need is sent to a biogas plant that produces electricity through the anaerobic digestion of organic waste.

This is the project launched by the Sainsbury's chain at its outlet in Cannock, a town roughly 30 kilometres north of Birmingham, in England. The outlet will be the first supermarket in England to be energy self-sufficient, thanks to electricity self-generated from food waste.

All spoiled food will be digested at the biogas plant built in partnership with Biffa, one of the UK's leading waste management companies, and will be capable of producing enough electricity to meet the annual demand of 2,500 homes. A 1.5-kilometre cable will run from the plant, carrying electricity directly to the outlet.

The project is part of the broader "zero waste to landfill" initiative launched by the chain in 2013. The British chain states that all waste is recycled or converted into fuel. Food surpluses are turned into animal feed to support British farmers, or used to generate energy through anaerobic digestion.