Genoa enhances the collection of used vegetable oil

A completely recyclable waste

L’used vegetable oil of cooking is a product highly polluting, but many don’t know it. It is therefore essential to increase citizens’ awareness and facilitate the collection process to increase waste separation and promote the circular economy.

“Oil recovered, environment saved!”

The project “Oil recovered, environment saved!” was born precisely with this objective. In a city like Genoait is estimated that between 600 and 800 tons of waste oil are produced every year. The problem comes when it comes to disposing of it: unfortunately, only a small part is collected.

Used vegetable oil pollutes water and damages land. Unfortunately, the bulk ends up in sewer drains and aquifers, with the result of clogging house drains, damaging purifiers (increasing management costs) and causing environmental damage. Furthermore, purifying polluted water costs 1.10 euros per kilo and consumes at least 3 kW/h of energy.

The initiative of Municipality of Genoa was created to make the city’s waste cycle virtuous by encouraging the recovery and correct disposal of used vegetable oil. To organize this widespread collection the Municipality has entered into an agreement with the CONOE – National consortium for the collection and treatment of used vegetable and animal oils and fats And AMIUthe company that provides waste collection and disposal services in the city.

Read also Used vegetable oils, chefs allied to sustainability

Recognizable red bins for used vegetable oil

The collection and disposal service has been strengthened. The agreement, signed for three years, provides for widespread collection. THE red bins positioned in all the neighborhoods of the city are easily recognisable, and are located near different meeting points: from parishes to schools, and obviously near supermarkets.

Only edible oils should be placed in these containers (olive, corn, sunflower, peanuts, etc.): for example, frying and cooking oil, oil for preserving canned and glass foods (tuna or vegetables) or for seasoning, deteriorated or expired vegetable oils. Before placing it in the red containers, the oil must be filtered from impurities and food residues to optimize the transformation process from waste to resource, and then poured into tightly closed plastic bottles.

Read also With the Hera Group, used edible oils have become 1.7 million liters of biofuel

The new lives of used vegetable oil

Why is it always worth collecting used vegetable oil? As he explains Francesco Mancini, general director of CONOE,«careful and correct collection of waste vegetable oils avoids waste of resources and creates new recycling opportunities: an action that enriches the circular economy strategy of cities and contributes to reducing CO emissions₂ related. Unlike other types of waste, used oils can be completely recycled, giving them a new life in different forms: biodiesel, above all, but also bio-lubricants, soaps, and biodegradable cosmetic products».

The slogan of information campaign aimed at citizens is very catchy: “Oil recovered, environment saved!”. It includes tutorials, posters, flyers, activities on institutional social channels. Furthermore, the collection points go from the current twenty to around one hundred to collect all 600 tons of used oil produced.