Ecotricity’s gas receives Vegan Society registration

In July, Ecotricity lifted the lid on the secret ingredients that have made their way into the energy supply of over half of Britain’s homes: millions of people – vegans, vegetarians, those simply concerned with animal rights - are powering their homes with electricity and gas made with the by-products of the meat and dairy industry. Some energy companies euphemistically “recycled” dead fish and animal body parts into power.

With its longstanding policy of refusing to buy energy from animal-related sources, Ecotricity decided to seek recognition from the world-renowned and respected Vegan Society – who audited the supply chain of its gas and electricity supplies.

By raising awareness of its vegan power alternative, Ecotricity reached millions of people online – fuelling intense debate in the press and on social media. Thousands joined Ecotricity, because of its assurance no animal by-products were being used. 

Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity, said:

“We knew people would be surprised by the secret ingredient used to power their homes, and have always believed that clear labelling of energy, as we have with food, is essential to enable informed choices. Being able to source electricity that is vegan has proven to be very popular – millions of people in this country care about the way animals are treated and a growing number have excluded them from their diet and other aspects of life.

“Unwittingly supporting the meat and dairy industry through choice of energy company has come as a bit of a shock to many people. And while we’ve had some flak from farming groups and complaints to the ASA about our advertising, we’re really pleased to have opened up this issue to public scrutiny.

“Our electricity and gas have been vegan for as long as we’ve been aware of animals being used in the supply chain - backing this up with registration from The Vegan Society helps raise the profile of the issue and gives the assurance that people need.”

Chantelle Adkins, head of business development at The Vegan Society, added: 

“Animals are needlessly used in almost every area of life, and energy is sadly not an exception. As vegans, we strive to avoid all animal use; it’s disheartening when we’re not able to do so.

“We hope that by highlighting the use of animal by-products to generate electricity and gas we can help people realise just how widespread animal use is in our society and inspire them to avoid it.”

For more information about vegan power, and to find out if your supply is contaminated, visit our vegan energy page.