Recycling Used Cooking Oil Fuels New Business
More cars and vans in the Highlands will be running on recycled cooking oil thanks to a new business about to be launched by local farmer Ian Grant.
Ian from Pitrudy Farm by Dornoch has been successfully running his own tractors and car on bio-diesel and is so pleased with the performance that he now plans to make use of the used cooking oil deposited at The Highland Council’s Recycling Centres in Bonar Bridge, Brora, Lairg and Tain to convert into bio-fuel which will then be sold to locally to other car and van owners as an alternative to diesel.
Ian said: “I have been interested in using bio-fuel for some time but as diesel prices were low for many years, it is only now when prices are high that I can see the demand spreading to have an alternative way to fuel vehicles. I have tested bio-fuels on my own car as well as the JCB and tractor and I am very pleased. One of the biggest benefits was when I got my MOT. The emissions test on my old Mercedes, which has 250,000 miles on the clock, showed the lowest level possible.
“Some people are skeptical and think they need to make modifications to their vehicles before using biofuels which isn’t true. I know there is interest locally as well as across the whole world. It is really about re-educating people and providing an affordable alternative for drivers.
East Sutherland and Edderton Councillor Jim McGillivray said: “Our Waste Recycling team have arranged for containers to be sited at the Recycling Centres in Brora, Lairg, Bonnar Bridge and Tain so people can bring along old cooking oil which will be converted into a useful environmentally friendly bio-fuel. There must be litres of oil used daily in households all over Sutherland, Tain and Easter Ross in chip pans or deep fat fryers. We now have a great opportunity to turn an unwanted waste product into a valuable commodity.
I am delighted that Ian sees this as a good business opportunity and I know many people are interested in using a more environmentally friendly fuel for their travel. I wish him all the best with his new business venture and want to encourage everyone to do their bit to ensure old oil does not end up going to landfill sites or getting poured down the drains.”
Scottish Water are supportive of converting oil into a useful fuel for Highland drivers.
Joanna Peebles, Scottish Water’s Communities Manager for the Highlands, said: “Well done to Mr Grant. His initiative will hopefully persuade people to dispose of their fats sensibly. Over half of the sewer blockages we have to deal with are caused by cooking oils and fats that have been disposed of down plugholes and drains. It’s illegal to do this and a serious drain on our resources. It also puts the Highland environment at risk.”
Chairman of The Highland Council’s TEC Services Committee, Councillor John Laing welcomed the new initiative. “In working towards reaching a recycling target of 40% by 2010 we are actively working to increase the amount of waste recycled in the Highlands. This new scheme to recycle used cooking oil is great progress, especially as the oil can be processed locally and then used locally to fuel vehicles.”
Anyone bringing along their oil to be recycled should put it in it’s original plastic or glass bottle then pour it into the special containers provided. Seperate containers are provided at the Recycling Centres for the disposal of engine oils. If any assistance is required site operatives are available to help and leaflets will be distributed to promote this new recycling opportunity.
Details of the Recycling Centres opening hours are as follows:
Brora Recycling Centre:
Monday - Friday 8.00 am - 12.00 noon & 12.30 pm - 4.00 pm
Saturday 10.00 am - 2.00 pm
Bonar Bridge Recycling Centre:
Monday - Tuesday 1.00pm - 4.30pm
Thursday - Friday 8.00 am - 12.00 noon
Saturday 9.00 am - 1.00 pm
Lairg Recycling Centre:
Monday - Tuesday 8.00 am - 12.00noon
Thursday - Friday 1.00 pm - 4.30 pm
Saturday 9.00 am - 1.00 pm
Tain Recycling Centre:
Tuesday - Friday 10.00 am - 2.00 pm & 2.30pm - 5.00pm
Saturday 9.00 am - 2.00pm & 2.30pm - 5.00 pm
For further information about Waste Recycling in the Highlands visit recycle@highland.gov.uk or telephone 01349 868439