A new generation of grocery bar codes, known as GS1 DataBar codes, is being implemented across grocery stores in an effort to both speed up the checkout process, as well as prevent cashiers from ringing up pricier organic produce as their cheaper, non-organic counterparts.
[via Consumerist, image courtesy of RetailWeek]

Sainsbury’s, a UK based chain of grocery stores is beginning a new program that will transform wasted food into electricity. 42 tons of waste food from 28 Sainsbury’s locations in Scotland will be delivered weekly to a biomass power plant for processing. This food waste is expected to generate enough electricity to power about 500 homes. This summer, the waste to electricity program will be expanded throughout the UK, as part of Sainsbury’s plan to no longer send any waste whatsoever to landfills.
[via Treehugger]