News from Peterborough City Council

Newly-launched free collection services are giving Peterborough chip shops, fast food outlets, restaurants and other catering firms the chance to recycle used cooking oil into bio-diesel a greener alternative to diesel that could reduce carbon emissions by up to 78 per cent.

 

The move follows last month's introduction of facilities for residents to dispose of domestic cooking oil at the city council's Householders' Recycling Centre at Dogsthorpe.

 

Councillor Wayne Fitzgerald, Peterborough City Council's cabinet member for the environment, said:  "Used cooking oil has a value because it can be used as an ingredient in bio-diesel.  A number of companies will now collect waste oil from catering businesses.

 

"The safe disposal of waste cooking oil is a significant challenge for small fast-food outlets, restaurants and other catering businesses.  This initiative will help them to be responsible and protect the environment at the same time.

 

"It complements our newly introduced arrangements for recycling waste cooking oil from local householders.  It again demonstrates how the city council is constantly seeking to conserve natural resources and contribute to Peterborough's ambition to create the UK's Environment Capital."

 

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 business owners have a legal 'duty of care' to ensure the safe handling and disposal of all waste.  In particular, used cooking oil must be stored securely in sealed containers and should be collected by a licensed waste carrier who will take it to an authorised site for recovery or disposal.  Liquid wastes are now banned from landfill sites.

 

Waste cooking oil must not be poured down drains or sewers because this causes blockages and doing so could result in prosecution.  The oil will also lead to odour and vermin problems and may pollute watercourses, causing problems for wildlife.

 

Waste cooking oil should not be disposed of with other catering or kitchen waste because it may cause spillages leading to odour or pollution problems and waste contractors may refuse to remove it.  Since October 2004 it has been an offence under the Animal By-Products Regulation to mix waste cooking oil from catering premises in animal feed.

 

A number of licensed companies now offer free collection of used cooking oil from businesses in Peterborough and will provide the necessary Duty of Care Waste Transfer Notes.  The following details are provided as examples and do not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by the city council.  Businesses should make their own independent enquiries before making a decision.

 

 

 

 

For more information visit the Food Standards Agency website: http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/faq/wasteoilfaq/