Existing Solutions

Cooking oil, environmental, recycling, biodiesel

technical

- Environmental

- Financial

- Social

- Health

The improper disposal of cooking oil has become a major problem, especially in big cities and in places with a high concentration of bars and restaurants. When the oil is discarded in sinks, it causes clogging and blockage of drains and plumbing pipes.  On the ground, it causes contamination of plants, and it can contribute to the greenhouse effect. The best method of disposal for used oil is to reuse it in the production of biodiesel.  Its performance in the industry is relatively high because every1 literof used oil produces 0.95 liters of biodiesel.

 In the midst of this environmental problem, the state government of Sao Paulo in partnership with Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de Sao Paulo (Sabesp) created the Programa de Reciclagem de Óleo (PROL) – Recycling Program for Cooking Oil. The project represents a comprehensive  environmental program in partnership with governmental and non governmental organizations, businessmen, housewives, teachers and students. 

The project, which was accepted by the majority of the population, has supported and collaborated in its implementation and dissemination. Each year that passes, more cities adhere to the project.  Beyond the environmental issue, the program has a social appeal because in some cities, the collection of oil has generated income to poor communities.  The population has become aware of this project because of a major advertising campaign via posters and leaflets, which were distributed to partner institutions of this initiative.

The project was conducted in the cities of Sao Paulo and deployed in homes, restaurants, bars, factories and public and private institutions.

The program was conceived by the state government fromSao Paulo and SABESP in partnership with local governments, NGOs, schools and private establishments.

Initially, the oil project was held in the city of São Pauloat Cerqueira César District.  Of the 1600 condos, 1500 joined the cause.  In this region, there is a population of 139, 000 inhabitants.  Due to the success and growing interest towards this project, the relevance of environmental issues, and the income generated for poor communities involved in the collection of waste, Sabesp decided to expand the project to other cities. The project was extended to other regions, such asOsasco, Registro, Itapetininga, Lins, Jales,Presidente Prudente, and Pindamonhangaba. The city of General Salgado joined the project last year and has had a big disclosure and approval by the citizens/residents.

What can be done with the leftover frying oil from industries, homes and restaurants? Is it right to throw the oil away into the city plumbing pipes? What is the proper disposal for this oil?

Throwing cooking oil away into the environment improperly can contaminate rivers, lakes and jeopardize the lives of marine species.  There are some reports that one liter of oil can contaminate up to 25 thousand liters of water. Disposing of the oil into the ground is not the proper way to dispose of it.  While in the ground, the oil acts as a waterproof substance that favors the occurrence of floods.  As it begins to decompose, it releases methane gas during the process, causing bad odors and contributing to the greenhouse effect.   When you dispose of the oil in kitchen sinks, it is mixed with organic matter, causing blockages drains and plumbing pipes. The proper way to discard used oil is to reuse it in biosiesel production.

Through public awareness, the oil can be collected and delivered to specific locations, allowing communities to, reduce water pollution, diminish the clogging of plumbing pipes, and increase the production of biodiesel.

The project has several positive impacts:

Environmental

• Roper disposal of used oil prevents oil from being emptied into the soil or water supply and subsequently eliminates the contamination of natural resources.

• Increases biodiesel production starting from renewable sources (1 literof used oil produces0.95 litersof biodiesel).

 Financial and environmental

• The project reduces dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels.

• It also reduces expenditures on clogged pipes.

Social

• Generates income to poor communities engaged in the project.

 Health

• The project also aims to educate people on the proper handling of oil and about the harm that reused oil has upon their health. 

Because this is a project in its infancy, we still have little data regarding cost effectiveness.  . However, in the metropolitan region ofSao Paulowhere the project has been deployed since July 2007, we observed a positive impact.  There was a 12.3% reduction in the number of clearing of pipes one year after the start of the project and 26% after two years, indicating a positive effect.  It is worth mentioning that the problem is more severe in neighborhoods where there are many bars and restaurants because there is more cooking oil consumption and disposal. 

Some of the oil samples were collected and were sent to theUniversityof São Pauloto be analyzed by graduating members of the project.  The tests allowed graduating members to control the quality of material collected from each participating establishment.

It is worth remembering that the results of implementation of the project will only be seen after a few months / years of its implementation, and its execution in the long run is entirely feasible and enforceable.

All institutions, public or private, should be interested in this project because it introduces a way to reuse a product that causes serious damage to the environment. . Now, it is necessary to expand the project to other regions of the state of Sao Paulo and then to other states ofBrazil. It is worth remembering that this expansion must be accompanied by a big publicity and advertising campaign.

 There is a new project that proposes the development of a prototype cart for garbage collection that is more ergonomic, safe and lightweight.  The handling of this cart requires less physical effort from the garbage collectors, and it allows more recyclables to be collected thus allowing space for a separate reservoir for frying oil. The city of General Salgado joined the program in 2010. The project involved several institution, such as public schools, SABESP and CATI (Integral Technical  Assistance Coordination).

 Leaflets were distributed free to students of participating schools that received lectures by members of the project. Members of the project lectured to students of participating schools and distributed free leaflets to them. Teachers were trained in order to guide and explain the project to the students. To encourage children to participate in the project, the teachers distributed coupons for those who brought cooking oil to school, where they competed for prizes. When the city schools reached a certain volume of collected oil, the draw was made. Then, all of the oil collected was forwarded to the production of biodiesel.

This project has been highly praised by the public. The project has allowed cooking oils to be reused in biodiesel production, while at the same time, reducing the use of fossil fuels and the clogging of pipes and helping poor communities. In others words, with a single action, we are helping the environment and society in many ways.

 • Whenever start a project, start it on a trial basis, and then review the results obtained in the operation. If the results are positive, you should expand the operation to other locations.

 • Always work with people who have the same goals and who are engaged in the same social and environmental causes.

 • Set goals and objectives and don’t give up until they are obtained.

 • Publicize your project through leaflets, radio, television, and social networks in order to inform the public about the importance of the project. This will encourage them to support your cause.

 • Seek for sponsors.  Enjoy this period in which the media is giving a great deal of attention/air time to socio-environmental issues.   If your project is innovative and has a positive effect, you will be easily guaranteed a sponsor.

Numerous municipalities have already implemented this project, and others have already committed to deploying it. Many NGOs are engaged in this project, helping in the dissemination and implementation of it. 

Bruno Anhe

E-mail: bruno.anhe@yahoo.com.br , Skype: bruno.anhe

Workplace: CATI – General Salgado/ Sao Paulo,  Profession: Agronomist

CATI – Coordenadoria de Assistência Técnica Integral. (Integral Technical Assistance Coordination)

Website: http://www.cati.sp.gov.br

- SABESP – Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo. (Basic Sanitation Company ofSão Paulo)

Website: http://site.sabesp.com.br/site/interna/subHome.aspx?secaoId=62

See indicated websites.