Machynlleth is a town that cares about the planet – so much that the BBC has even dubbed us the “UK’s haven for alternative thinking”. We’re home to the Centre for Alternative Technology and dozens of charities and volunteer-backed projects pushing sustainable development.

We know that our community’s priority is keeping the environment safe, especially in the food that they eat. At Hennighan’s, we’re always looking for ways to make our fish and chips more sustainable, so our customers can enjoy award-winning food that’s good for their stomachs and for the environment.

Smarter Kitchens

We’re constantly testing out new sustainability solutions behind the scenes to see what works. Our recent addition, an eco-friendly steam dishwasher, recycles water, helping us use less water per cycle – especially compared to our old way of washing dishes by hand. It’s also designed with an internal chemical dosing system that calculates the exact amount of detergent and rinse aid needed. That means less pollution and waste going into Machynlleth’s wastewater system, and a healthier planet for you.

Cutting Down Oil Waste

At Hennighan’s, we don’t just make customer-facing changes; we focus on sustainability in every part of our process. We use custom-built MEFF fryers, a British-made frying range with a triple-filtration system built in. This keeps our oil clean, reduces waste and means we can recycle oil where possible.

On top of this, we use OiLChef technology to minimise our oil waste, which has reduced our oil waste by over 5 times and oil costs by 77%. That’s less oil polluting the planet, and better-tasting, sustainable fish and chips for you. Learn more about our work with OiLChef here.

Responsibly Sourced Ingredients

We don’t just care about sustainability in our tech – at Hennighan’s, we care about making our fish and chips eco-friendly too. We only source our fish from sustainable, well-managed stocks in the Barents Sea (one of the world’s largest and best-managed fisheries). For every fish we fry, we can track exactly where it came from – down to the very shipment. We use UK-grown produce where possible, with our potatoes coming from the Midlands (reducing our food miles).

Packaging & Recycling

We’re committed to reducing our packaging waste across all of our daily operations. All of our cardboard containers, plastic containers and oil are sustainably recycled.  We’ve also introduced biodegradable takeaway boxes at both our Top and Bottom Shops, so after you’ve finished tucking into your Hennighan’s meal, you can rest easy knowing the packaging is fully recyclable.

Recognition & What’s Next

Our consistent efforts in sustainability have led to Hennighan’s being named Top 3 in the UK at the Environmental and Sustainability Awards 2024 – but that doesn’t mean we’re done. Sustainability is an ongoing process for us, with new ideas regularly being tested to see what works. We’re focused on long-term changes for our planet, so our priority is staying adaptable, constantly improving and making sustainability a priority every day.

At Hennighan’s, we believe that enjoying a delicious chippy shouldn’t come at the expense of the environment. From forward-thinking kitchen tech that reduces waste to making sure our ingredients are sustainably sourced, being eco-friendly is built into everything we do.

Join us in making a difference – stop by our Top or Bottom shop today for a meal that’s both great for you and great for the environment.

FAQs:

Q: What makes Hennighan’s fish and chips eco-friendly?

We work hard to make our fish and chips eco-friendly, from reducing kitchen waste and recycling materials to sourcing ingredients responsibly and using sustainable packaging.

Q: How does the new dishwasher help reduce environmental impact?

The new system is designed to recycle water and reduce overall waste, using smart technology to calculate the required amount of rinse aid and detergent needed.

Q: What happens to waste oil and packaging?

Oil is recycled at waste management sites, and our biodegradable materials like cardboard and plastic containers are also processed responsibly to minimise waste.

Q: Where does Hennighan’s source its fish from?

Fish is sourced straight from the Barents Sea, known for its well-managed and sustainable fisheries.

Q: Are the ingredients locally sourced?

Where possible! Our potatoes, for example, are sourced from the Midlands to help reduce food miles.

Q: Is sustainability an ongoing focus?

Absolutely! New ideas are regularly tested, with a focus on making long-term improvements that genuinely work.