EAT has started selling Toast Ale, which is made with the retailer’s surplus crusts, across its licensed sites.

More than 1,000 kg of bread left over from production of EAT’s sandwiches have been donated to Toast Ale, which subsequently brew the surplus into beer.

The sandwich chain is now selling Toast’s award-winning ales and lagers across all five of its licensed sites. Brands Toast Pale Ale and Toast Craft Lager will be stocked at London’s Royal Festival Hall, two terminals at Heathrow, Edinburgh and Windsor.

“We’re thrilled to be closing the loop with EAT, creating delicious beers with surplus fresh bread from the production of their sandwiches,” said Louisa Ziane, chief brand and finance officer at Toast Ale.

“Our profits will go to the charity Feedback so we can together tackle the systemic causes of food waste.”

According to Tesco, up to 44% of bread goes to waste in the UK, and retailers and suppliers have been exploring new ways to cut waste generated by stores and their supply chain.

This has included Marks & Spencer teaming up with Adnams brewery to sell a range of beers made from the crusted ends of sliced sandwich loaves from M&S supplier Greencore.