In today’s world, where environmental concerns are at the forefront of our minds, finding sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives has become more crucial than ever. One such innovative and accessible solution addressing low-carbon fuel needs is recycling used cooking oil (UCO) for biofuel.
Why Recycling Used Cooking Oil Matters
The improper disposal of UCO poses significant environmental threats that demand our attention. Recent statistics highlight that in the U.S., per capita vegetable oil consumption in 2022 was estimated at around 10 gallons (1 Gallon = 3,8 Liter), with only approximately 2.5 gallons collected—merely a quarter of the total UCO generated. That means there are 2.48 billion gallons of UCO that get poured down the drain with all the environmental consequences that leads to. That UCO could also be recycled into low carbon biofuel.
In China, presently the world’s leading exporter of UCO, a low 15% collection rate leaves vast room for improvement. The remaining UCO, when improperly disposed of, leads to drain blockages, waterway pollution, and harm to wildlife. As with the US, there are billions of gallons of UCO that could be recycled and processed into low carbon biofuel.
UCO derives from various sources, including the food processing industry, households, restaurants, and other food service establishments. Rather than allowing this valuable resource to go to waste, it can undergo a transformation into biofuel, offering a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. This process achieves a dual impact—mitigating the environmental repercussions of improper UCO disposal and reducing CO2 emissions in road transport.
From Byproduct to Biofuel: A Historical Shift
Back before the energy crises in the 1970s and 1980s, scientists were already looking into using vegetable oils as diesel fuels. In the 1930s and 1940s, during emergencies like World War II, vegetable oils were used for fuel. However, it wasn’t until later, when we realized how much damage fossil fuels were causing, that interest in cleaner, greener energy really took off.
Biodiesel gained popularity in the United States. It not only had positive effects on the environment but was also seen as a solution to reducing our dependence on traditional fuel sources. As people became more environmentally conscious, governments, including the United States, started setting goals for using more renewable fuel. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, for example, laid out targets to cut down on traditional fuel reliance.
With the push for sustainability, renewable fuel became a popular choice. It wasn’t just about being eco-friendly; it also performed well and caused less wear on engines. As a result, producers had to find more raw materials, leading to a surge in the market. Initially, only countries with incentives for collecting and using waste greases were in on the action. However, as demand for imports grew, more countries started collecting significant volumes of UCO.
In the past, UCO was used in various ways, including animal feed. But stricter regulations, especially after the BSE crisis in the ’90s, limited the use of waste oils in animal feed. This led to a shift from using UCO in feed to turning it into biofuels. In the U.S., by 2016, UCO consumption in non-biofuel uses had dropped to almost nothing, just before there was a major increase in its use for biodiesel. This shift tells a story of how we’ve moved from seeing UCO as a byproduct to recognizing its potential as a valuable source of eco-friendly fuel.
How UCO Transforms into Clean Biofuel
The process of recycling used cooking oil starts by collecting it from different places like restaurants, kitchens, and homes. Once gathered, the oil goes through a cleaning process where filters remove any leftover food bits, water, or impurities. After this, the oil gets heated up (around 60°C – 140 °F).
The heart of the process lies in transesterification, a chemical reaction that transforms used cooking oil into biodiesel. This reaction involves combining the filtered and cleaned oil with methanol or ethanol and a catalyst, usually sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. The mixture has a series of chemical reactions, making biodiesel and glycerin. This glycerin of course is not thrown away as it has a wide range of applications including pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. The biodiesel then goes through a bit more processing, gets stored, and can then be sent to producers or even straight to people to use in their vehicles.
California’s Leadership in UCO Recycling
California has emerged as a leader in the used cooking oil (UCO) recycling arena, driven by initiatives such as the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). The LCFS is a crucial part of California’s broader strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance air quality, focusing on promoting low-carbon and renewable alternatives to conventional fuels.
In this landscape, the California Advanced Biofuel Alliance (CABA), established in 2006, has played a pivotal role in navigating regulatory challenges and advancing the market for biofuels within the state. Companies like Crimson have risen to prominence as major producers in California of ultra-low carbon biofuel derived from UCO. Recently, Neste‘s has acquired this year the UCO collection and aggregation business and related assets on the US West Coast from Crimson Renewable Energy Holdings.
Another significant contributor in California is Baker Commodities, operating New Leaf Biofuel. This company processes UCO from a wide range of local establishments, including restaurants, hotels, schools, and hospitals, supplying directly to wholesale refiners and truck stops.
Final Thoughts
Importantly, the UCO recycling space isn’t exclusive to large and medium enterprises. Small-scale entrepreneurs also can play a vital role in bridging the demand-supply gap in such a growing market. An example is Enviroride, a recent initiative originating from the collaborative efforts of Professor Yousef Abu Nahleh, Ph.D., and students at the Higher Colleges of Technology in the UAE. Their project focuses on establishing sustainable supply chains for biodiesel collection and production, aiming to reduce transportation-related air pollution. Explore further details about their project, where they leveraged SCM Globe for supply chain simulations, by visiting: A Circular and Sustainable Biofuel Supply Chain.
In conclusion, anyone, from students to aspiring entrepreneurs, can make a meaningful impact on a greener future by getting involved in UCO recycling. Whether you’re after a hands-on project or dreaming of a green business, the world of turning used cooking oil into biofuel holds a promising path to a more sustainable and fulfilling future.