Too much waste and not enough waste management!

It is estimated that 170,000 tonnes of FOG (Fats, Oils and Grease) are emptied into the UK's sewage system every year, according to CIEH (Chartered Institute of Environmental Health). ^†

Anglian Water believe that a whopping £20m per year is spent on maintenance to clear blocked drains because of the FOG, including waste cooking oil, that is disposed of irresponsibly. This also has a knock on effect of being one of the major causes of floods in the UK as blockages caused by the collection of the waste stop water from dispersing effectively.

Incorrect disposal of used cooking oil is also harmful for aquatic wildlife. When the waste from the sewers reaches watercourses, the oil spreads into thin membranes which prevent the oxygenation of water. Lower levels of oxygen create problems for the development of aquatic life causing them to literally suffocate.

Pouring waste cooking oil down the drain is not only costly but harmful to our environment. If you take all of that oil being poured down into people’s sinks and toilets it would equate to powering 170,000 houses or a city the size of Sheffield. In the current times of shortage of fuel for transport and energy we can no longer afford to waste this precious resource and, therefore, recycling used cooking oil to create power is essential.

^† Source: The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health