Morrisons, a leading UK supermarket, has launched a new line of “planet-friendly” eggs, which are the first product in the company’s eight-year drive to net-zero emissions. The eggs are produced by hens fed on a diet of food waste from Morrisons’ bakery, fruit, and vegetable sites, supplemented with insects from an insect “mini farm” container made by UK company Better Origin. The method of egg production is designed to be “carbon neutral”, with Morrisons aiming to be directly supplied by net-zero emission farms by 2030.
Chickens are omnivorous and thrive on a varied diet that includes insects, seeds, grains, and vegetable scraps. However, in modern industrial chicken farming, the use of soy-based feed has become more common as a cheap and convenient way to feed large numbers of birds. This has led to concerns about the environmental impact of industrial chicken farming and the use of soy, which is often linked to deforestation and other environmental issues.
The use of food waste and insects in the production of the new Morrisons eggs is therefore a welcome development that harkens back to a more natural and sustainable way of raising chickens. Historically, food scraps and insects have been a key component of a healthy chicken diet, providing essential nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and minerals.
The farm where the eggs come from has a large wind turbine, solar panels, and a program to offset remaining emissions, with a fifth of its land planted with trees. A report by Cambridge University found that the production of eggs, including the insect growing unit, food waste transport, sourcing of locally grown grain, and hen housing and care, is carbon neutral.
In addition to the environmental benefits, the use of food waste and insects in the production of Morrisons’ planet-friendly eggs also addresses the issue of food waste, as it reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. The eggs are sold in recyclable and biodegradable packaging, further reducing their environmental impact.
Morrisons’ planet-friendly eggs are an innovative solution to the environmental impact of animal products. By producing eggs from hens fed on insects and food waste, Morrisons is reducing its reliance on soy and tackling the issue of food waste. The carbon-neutral production of eggs is a significant step towards Morrisons’ goal of being directly supplied by net-zero emission farms by 2030.