Circular Bioeconomy in Action: Collection and Recycling of Domestic Used Cooking Oil through a Social, Reverse Logistics System

Abstract

The inappropriate disposal of millions of tons of domestically produced used cooking oil (UCO), either down domestic household drains or in landfill, causes significant detrimental effects on the environment but also constitutes the loss of a valuable resource, since used cooking oil is a sought-after feedstock for biodiesel production. This paper presents findings from a social reverse logistics system, called InnovOleum, for collecting and recycling domestic used cooking oil through schools. The disruptive, social aspect of InnovOleum derives from the provision of funds from the sale of the collected used cooking oil to be invested within the participating schools in ongoing environmental education and green infrastructure and technology. To date, over 200,000 Euros have been distributed to schools for this purpose. No other schemes with similar potential to fully harness the environmental and social benefits from the collection and conversion of domestically produced used cooking oil have been found in literature. This publication can therefore significantly contribute to the knowledge base and facilitate the transfer of this scheme elsewhere.

Development of bimetallic nickel-based catalysts supported on activated carbon for green fuel production

“…The European Union (EU) produces approximately 700 000-1 000 000 tonnes of WCO annually. 13 The WCO production in Asian countries, e.g., China, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc., and the Special Administrative Region (SAR), e.g., Taiwan and Hong Kong, is estimated to be 40 000 tonnes per year. 14,15 Improper WCO disposal could increase the levels of organic pollutants in the land and water which leads to environmental pollution.…”

Immobilization of Eversa® Transform via CLEA Technology Converts It in a Suitable Biocatalyst for Biolubricant Production Using Waste Cooking Oil

“…The transesterification of WCO with different alcohols useful to produce biolubricants was evaluated here. WCO production is quite high and it is a residue with negative ecological impact [ 58 ]. This way, the current paper presents a project with a triple ecological impact: the production of a biodegradable biolubricant using a green route and a feedstock that is currently used just as disposal with negative environmental impact [ 59 , 60 ].…”

Risk Analysis in Jakarta’s Waste Cooking Oil to Biodiesel Green Supply Chain Using Group Ahp Approach

“…The solution is to convert WCO into Biodiesel. This solution is promising in China, Japan, the US [6] [7], Greece [2], Brazil [8], and South Korea [9], which will help Indonesia reach its goal of having 30% bio-content in the Biodiesel by diversifying the feedstock [10]. However, the implementation is not optimal as it is poorly implemented, poorly communicated, and needs revision [1] [5].…”