Knowledge Hub
Learn more about the power of recycling used cooking oil.
Used cooking oil is refined through a process called transesterification to create biodiesel, a cleaner-burning alternative to petroleum diesel.
Recycling UCO prevents it from clogging drains and polluting waterways. Biodiesel also reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85% compared to conventional diesel.
Restaurants can turn a waste management cost into a revenue stream by selling their used cooking oil on ONE ECO Loop, improving both their bottom line and sustainability credentials.
The chemical process of creating biodiesel involves reacting used cooking oil with an alcohol (like methanol) and a catalyst, which separates the glycerin and produces methyl esters (biodiesel).
Improper disposal of used cooking oil can lead to severe water pollution. One liter of oil can contaminate up to one million liters of water. Recycling prevents this damage.
The collection, processing, and distribution of used cooking oil for biodiesel production creates jobs in the green economy, supporting local communities.
By creating a domestic source of fuel from a waste product, recycling UCO helps reduce a nation's dependence on imported fossil fuels.
To maintain oil quality for recycling, sellers should store their UCO in a sealed container, away from direct sunlight and extreme heat, and avoid mixing it with water or other contaminants.
Did you know Rudolf Diesel's original engine was designed to run on vegetable oil? His vision of a fuel from biomass is the foundation of the modern biodiesel industry.