Food Waste Reduction & Healthy Living: Tesco’s 2026 Report

Tesco's 2026 Sustainability Report outlines how the company is working to build a more sustainable and resilient food system while continuing to provide affordable food for customers. 

The report highlights Tesco’s progress in reducing carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency, tackling food waste and supporting healthier diets across its operations and supply chains. 

It also shows how the retailer is working with suppliers, farmers, charities and industry partners to meet its long-term net-zero and sustainability goals.

Healthier food with less waste

Tesco’s sustainability report highlights the growing connection between healthier diets, sustainable food choices and reducing waste across the food system. 

In the UK and the Republic of Ireland, 65% of Tesco’s food sales are now classified as healthy, reflecting the company’s efforts to encourage more nutritious eating habits and support healthier lifestyles. 

The retailer partners with organisations such as the British Nutrition Foundation to improve access to fruit and vegetables, while initiatives including the Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme have already provided more than 15.7 million portions of produce to children across the UK. 

Food waste reduction remains another major priority, with Tesco committing to cut food waste in its own operations by 50% before 2030. 

Although the company acknowledged it did not meet its original 2025 target, it redistributed 44,554 tonnes of surplus food to people and animals in the UK during the reporting year and converted more than 5,000 tonnes of food surplus into animal feed. 

“Sustainability and seeking the protection of workers’ rights across the food value chain is central to everything we do,” says Ken Murphy, CEO at Tesco, in the company’s 2026 Sustainability Report.

“We are as committed as ever to playing our part in reducing our impact on the planet 

“Many of the challenges where we need to make further progress are areas that no company can tackle alone. 

“It will take shared efforts across supply chains, government and the entire food industry to overcome the most complex issues facing our food system.”

Tesco also continues to improve the sustainability of its packaging, with 99% of its own-brand packaging now recyclable in the UK, including 87% through household kerbside collections.

Sustainability and energy efficiency

Tesco’s sustainability strategy places a strong focus on reducing energy use and improving efficiency across its stores and distribution centres. 

The company exceeded its December 2025 operational emissions reduction target by cutting Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 68% compared with its 2015/16 baseline, outperforming its original 60% target. 

Renewable energy plays a major role in this progress, with Tesco achieving 100% renewable electricity procurement across the Group through renewable energy certificates, Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and on-site solar generation. 

In 2025/26, rooftop solar panels were added to 29 UK stores, while the new Aylesford distribution centre was fitted with the largest solar panel array across Tesco’s estate. 

The business also invests heavily in energy-efficient technology, including fridge doors that use approximately one-third less energy than open-fronted fridges, electric heat pumps replacing gas boilers and a Group Energy Control Centre that remotely monitors energy performance across buildings. 

Climate change and sustainability are central to Tesco’s long-term strategy, with the retailer aiming to achieve net zero across its entire value chain by 2050 and net zero in its own operations by 2035. 

“As Chair of the Sustainability Committee, I have seen first-hand the determination across Tesco to embed sustainability into every part of the business,” says Stewart Gilliland, Chair of the Sustainability Committee and Non-executive Director at Tesco, in the company’s 2026 Sustainability Report.

“The store demonstrates how practical solutions can help us decarbonise retail and inspire change across the industry. 

“Alongside this, we have supported progress on healthier baskets, nature‑based solutions and waste reduction, while continuing to champion human rights and community programmes such as Fruit & Veg for Schools.”

The company’s planet plan focuses on six key pillars, including reducing store emissions, decarbonising transport, protecting nature, eliminating waste, improving products and supporting sustainable consumption. 

Tesco recognises that food production generates roughly one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions and that climate-related issues such as droughts, flooding and biodiversity loss are placing increasing pressure on food supply chains. 

As part of its response, Tesco is working with suppliers and farmers to promote sustainable agriculture, reduce deforestation, improve soil health and protect ecosystems. 

The retailer is also expanding nature partnerships, launching landscape restoration projects and introducing financial incentives for farmers adopting environmentally sustainable practices. 

“As food systems come under increasing pressure, sustainability is key to our long-term resilience,” says Christine Heffernan, Group Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer at Tesco, in the company’s 2026 Sustainability Report.

“Our actions today help meet customer needs and strengthen supply chain stability for the future.”

Healthcare, pharmacy and prevention

Tesco’s commitment to healthy communities extends far beyond the food it sells, with the company using its large store network to help improve public health and wellbeing across the UK. 

Tesco is the UK’s third largest pharmacy provider, operating 365 in-store pharmacies that serve more than 500,000 customers every week. 

Customers can access a wide range of healthcare services including flu vaccinations, blood pressure checks and the retailer’s Weight Loss Management service, alongside trusted advice on conditions such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes through Tesco’s “Let’s Talk” programme developed with its Health Charity Partners.

Tesco also works closely with charities including the British Heart Foundation, Diabetes UK and Cancer Research UK to run national awareness campaigns focused on prevention, early diagnosis and healthier lifestyles. 

In 2025, Tesco launched its first joint cancer early detection campaign with Cancer Research UK, while pharmacists were specially trained to guide customers towards appropriate cancer support and treatment services. 

The retailer also continued its annual diabetes and heart health campaigns, encouraging customers to complete type 2 diabetes risk assessments and free blood pressure checks through in-store pharmacies.

Beyond pharmacy services, Tesco introduced wider wellbeing initiatives to support customers at different stages of life. 

Following a successful trial, the company rolled out menopause-friendly bays in more than 90 stores in partnership with GenM, providing easier access to products designed to ease menopause symptoms. 

Tesco also partnered with accessibility app Be My Eyes to help blind and partially sighted customers receive real-time support from store colleagues while shopping. 

For families and young people, Tesco expanded its Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme with the British Nutrition Foundation and distributed millions of free apples through its Free Fruit for Kids campaign. 

The company believes that combining healthcare services, health education and community support can help improve long-term public wellbeing while making healthier choices more accessible and affordable for customers across the country.

Supply chain resilience

Tesco’s report repeatedly stresses that supply chain resilience and sustainability are essential to the future of the food industry.

The company states that almost 99% of its total carbon footprint comes from its wider value chain, particularly agriculture and customer product use, making supplier collaboration critical to reducing emissions.

Tesco works directly with farmers and suppliers through Sustainable Farming Groups, helping to introduce lower-carbon farming techniques, precision agriculture and nature-based solutions that improve soil health and biodiversity.

The retailer has also launched data programmes with suppliers to improve the accuracy of carbon reporting and encourage the adoption of science-based climate targets throughout the supply chain.

In manufacturing and transport, Tesco is working with major suppliers to create joint sustainability plans and share decarbonisation best practices through webinars and site visits.

The business is also investing in lower-emission logistics, including electric vans, Bio-CNG trucks, rail freight expansion and transport efficiency projects designed to reduce road miles and fuel use.