Tesco is set to launch a new scheme allowing customers to snap up free food in Express stores after 9:30pm.
The supermarket giant will offer items marked “Reduced to Clear” at no cost as part of a trial aimed at reducing food waste.
Under the trial, Tesco will replace its typical 90 per cent discounts with completely free items for late-night shoppers.
The change affects the food that would otherwise be thrown away at closing time. As the trial is rolled out, the company expects stores to discard less.
‘We are constantly looking for innovative new ways to reduce food waste’
Tesco
The move forms part of Tesco’s broader strategy to meet its net-zero targets.
A statement on the supermarket’s website reads: “We aim to be carbon neutral in our Group operations by 2035 and net zero across our full value chain, aligned to a 1.5C trajectory, by 2050.”
The 1.5 trajectory refers to the Paris Agreement’s long-term goal of keeping warming well below 2C and aiming to limit it to 1.5C.
The supermarket confirmed it will still donate some unsold food to charities in addition to the new giveaway scheme.
Staff will retain priority access to yellow sticker items that had been reduced earlier in the day.
Only food remaining in stores close to closing time will be available for customers to take home for free.
The initiative comes amid soaring demand for discounted food across supermarkets.
A spokesman for Tesco told GB News: “We are constantly looking for innovative new ways to reduce food waste.
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Tesco aims to achieve net zero by 2050
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“In all our stores we offer unsold surplus food to charities and community groups, donating millions of meals each month.
“This trial, in a small number of our Express stores, will allow customers to take any remaining yellow stickered items for free at the end of the day after they have first been offered to charities and colleagues.”
Aldi has also made a move toward becoming a more sustainable supermarket as it announces a huge wine shake-up.
The low-cost supermarket has removed protective sleeves over corks from 46 wines.