Don't give recycling the slip

26 August, 2010, 0 comments

Residents in Stratford upon Avon who use the humble frying pan can now turn their waste oil into electricity thanks to an innovative cooking oil recycling scheme introduced to the area.

Renewable energy provider Living Fuels has supplied used cooking oil recycling facilities at a number of household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) across Warwickshire, including one at Burton Farm in Stratford.All cooking oil collected at the site is refined into a biofuel and used to create green electricity in dedicated generators.

Daniel Gillert, commercial manager for Living Fuels, said: “Many people don’t realise that thousands of tonnes of used cooking oil are poured down the drain each year, costing UK rate payers around £15 million to clean up.By recycling your used cooking oil, you’re not only helping to solve this problem but also making use of what was previously a waste material.”

The oil tanks were installed by Living Fuels in partnership with Warwickshire County Council, with the aim of recycling and reusing as much waste as possible and reducing the amount of valuable resources going into landfill.The scheme also provides a tax saving for residents in Warwickshire.

Daniel continued: "Once refined, the biofuel named “LF100”, has huge potential – just one litre generates enough clean electricity to make 240 cups of tea, whilst one tonne provides enough to power the average home for an entire year.Using this process to create electricity vastly reduces carbon emissions, meaning that everyone can play a part in building Britain’s renewable energy future."

Cllr Alan Cockburn, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Economy at Warwickshire County Council, added: “This innovative scheme is a perfect example of recycling in action. My ambition is to encourage all Warwickshire families to recycle as much as they possibly can, and this scheme shows that even everyday household materials such as cooking oil can be put to another use.

“As a county council, one of our core priorities is to promote a sustainable environment and economy, and we wholeheartedly endorse a partnership which will help meet our goals of increased recycling and beneficial use of waste material.”

For further information regarding the locations, opening times and types of materials you can recycle at Household Waste Recycling Centres in Warwickshire, visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/hwrc .

To find out more about the used cooking oil recycling process, visit www.livingfuels.co.uk , or for any questions about recycling please contact the waste management team at Warwickshire County Council on 01926 412593.

No-one has commented on this article. Why not be the first person to have your say?