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Deliverable D2.3
Guidelines for UCO collection, transport and promotion campaigns based on previous
experiences
April 2013
Project partner: ETA‐Florence Renewable Energies
Contact: [email protected]
IEE/11/091/SI2.616369 ‐ RecOil
Table of contents
1. International experiences with UCO collection and use for transports ................................. 1
1.1 Introduction and statistics ..................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Biodiesel bus fleet in the city of Graz Austria ....................................................................... 3
1.2.1 Main success factors ...................................................................................................... 4
1.2.2 Possible barriers ............................................................................................................. 5
1.3 Biodiesel from recycled cooking oil in La Rochelle France ................................................... 5
1.4 Recycling cooking oil in Palma de Mallorca, Spain ................................................................ 6
2. Results of case studies collected by the RecOil project .......................................................... 6
2.1 Types of UCO collection systems .......................................................................................... 6
2.2 Typical collection methods .................................................................................................... 7
2.3 Delivery method by user ....................................................................................................... 7
2.4 Frequency of collection ......................................................................................................... 9
2.5 Means of transport used ....................................................................................................... 9
2.6 Means of payment for UCO ................................................................................................ 10
2.7 UCO destination .................................................................................................................. 10
2.8 Description of promotion activities ..................................................................................... 10
2.9 Types of communication materials used ............................................................................ 11
2.10 Hygiene and safety issues ................................................................................................. 12
3. Success and critical factors for UCO collection and promotion systems .............................. 14
3.1 The door to door collection system .................................................................................... 15
3.2 Critical factors and potential barriers for UCO collection and promotion systems ............ 16
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1. International experiences with UCO collection and use for transports
1.1 Introduction and statistics The production of fats and oil is a rather large industry in Europe, occupying more than 65.000 people only in the manufacture (excluding cultivation). Just to give some figures almost 1.8 million tons of butter were sold in EU in 2010 according to Eurostat (Table 2). In 2011 EU‐27 produced 14.3 million tons of vegetable oils and fats according to FEDIOL ‐ The EU Vegetable Oil and Protein meal Industry (www.fediol.eu). However this also includes the use of fats and oils for non‐food usages. Indeed fats and oils may also be used in a variety of different applications – such as for lubricants, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals or medicines; vegetable oils are also increasingly used to make biofuels.
Table 1. Production of crude vegetable oils and fats in 2011 (Source: fediol.eu)
The human consumption of oils and fats varies according to different dietary habits of European countries and the origin of the oil itself. i.e. Mediterranean countries such as Greece shows a high consumption of oils, namely olive oil whereas sunflower oil is more commonly used in Romania and butter is more common in France.
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Figure 1. Gross human apparent consumption of fats and oils, Member States with the highest and lowest consumption, latest year available (data from 2005 to 2010). (Source: Eurostat, online data codes: apro_cpb_foil and apro_mk_)
Table 2. Production and trade indicators for selected products within fats and oils, EU‐27, 2010. (Source: Eurostat, online data
code : food_pd_prod5)
The human consumption of fats and oils derives from the food production and processing industry and restaurants. While official statistics on the production and human consumption of fats and oils are available, statistics on the actual level of collection of waste cooking oil, that is only a fraction of the total fats and oil consumption, is far more erratic and inhomogeneous across Europe.
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In 2007 the project BioDieNet co‐funded by the Intelligent Energy for Europe program investigated this issue and identified a general lack of clear information on the subject. However some estimations for specific countries were drawn and are presented in the table below.
Table 3. Estimations of waste cooking oil collection for specific countries (Source: biodienet.eu)
Country m3/y The Netherlands 67.000 Italy 60.000 Portugal 28.600 Spain 270.000 Germany 250.000 Hungary 5.500 Norway 1.000 UK 90.000
The project found out that the type of oil that constitutes the main source of UCO varies greatly between the countries, the most commonly occurring oil types were sunflower oil, palm oil, and soy oil. The estimated amounts of UCO collected each year vary greatly between the countries, with a maximum of 270.000 m3 a year in Germany and 250.000 m3 a year in Spain. The lowest amounts were scored in Norway (1.000 m3) and Hungary (5.500 m3) of UCO a year. 1.2 Biodiesel bus fleet in the city of Graz Austria In Austria, the city of Graz hosts the world’s first bus fleet 100% fuelled with biodiesel. The GVB, the public transport company of the city, has converted its 130 vehicles to biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil. A biodiesel filling station was to facilitate the refilling of buses. This station is open for GVB buses as well as other municipal vehicles. Graz has introduced a very successful used cooking oil collection scheme collecting from restaurants and households. The collected used cooking oil is converted into biodiesel and provides most of the fuel for the bus fleet. The project started in November 1994, when a pilot test for using biofuel in city busses was launched by GVB, with the support of the Province of Styria. In a first stage, this biofuel was used for 2 GVB busses, which were already equipped with oxidation catalytic converters, which, however, was no basic requirement for this use. After corresponding adaptation work, these two busses have been used without problems since that time. Due to this, this pilot test was extended to additional 8 GVB solo busses in December 1997 in co‐operation with the Department of Environmental Protection of the City of Graz. As of today, there are 25 bus lines in Graz, consuming 3,8 million liters diesel each year. The fleet of the Grazer Stadtwerke Verkehrsbetriebe AG (Public Transport Company of Graz), the largest provider of public transport services in Graz, includes 61 trams and 135 buses.
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Since 2005 all city buses are running with 100% Biodiesel FAME EN14214 produced from used frying oil. Once collected, the waste cooking oil is converted into biodiesel in a nearby plant. In 2004 around 280,000 kg waste oil from restaurants and 75,000 kg waste oil from private houses were collected and converted into biodiesel. Several companies as well as research institutions took part in the implementation process. The development of collecting logistics was financially supported by the Graz Environmental Office. Biodiesel for Graz is delivered by SEEG – company converting used cooking oil and rapeseed oil to biodiesel, Mureck, South Styria. 1.2.1 Main success factors The project’s success was possible thanks to the synergy of several factors. First of all, a clear and stable political framework has contributed to the objectives achievement. Different policy instruments were implemented for the promotion of cleaner fuels and vehicles in Graz: tax exempt from mineral oil duty for pure biofuels; obligation to mix in car fuels; funding research projects (ÖKOPROFIT and “Ökodrive” programme); funding for new infrastructures (city subsidised partly costs of collection system and bus adaptation); contract with transport providers (all city buses have to be capable to use RFOME, biodiesel from used frying oil); definition of “cleaner vehicle” and other measures like reduction of parking fee by 33% (“ecoparking”) for environmental friendly cars in short term parking areas or free parking for electric cars. Secondly, a close and successful cooperation of all stakeholders was developed: universities, companies (feedstock suppliers, clean fuels producers, end‐users) and local governments. The whole process was guided by the Graz University and in the last years this process was supported by different European Projects like CIVITAS trendsetter, SUGRE and Life KAPA GS. A specific challenge of the project was the establish of the cooperation with car manufacturers, which were involved step by step and finally convinced of the potential market opportunities for their products. This cooperation paved the way for obtaining the necessary engine warranties. Gradually the partners in all relevant parts of the project (like in the fleet service stations) became highly involved and motivated, which contributed to finding solutions for all kind of practical solutions. Several enterprises took part in the implementation process. Research institutions were also active partners. The Technical University and the Institute for Combustion Engines and Thermodynamics carried out research concerning the use of biodiesel in different engines. The Institute of Chemistry and Karl‐Franzens‐University Graz, in cooperation with the Biodiesel International BDI engineering and construction GmBH have developed process technologies for different feedstock. Another important success factor was the proven and reliable biodiesel technology (guaranteed product quality) and the demonstration of the suitability of biodiesel from used frying oil through long lasting operation of buses of the GVB. Tests in the laboratory and on test beds were completed by practical experience made in the use of appr. 500 vehicles in the field and that the results of a 3 years' test made with two city busses of the "Grazer Stadtwerke AG" on the novel fuel UFO‐ME were brought in.
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As for the chemical investigations, samples of the used frying oil and the UFO‐ME gained from this oil were taken in the course of the continuous UFO‐ME production in the transesterification plant of the SEEG in Mureck in regular intervals for two years. This showed that the quality of the oil collected in communes, households and the catering trade was very constant throughout that period and that the UFO‐ME produced from that oil definitely fulfilled the requirements placed by the applicable Ö‐NORM (Austrian Standard). If, however, the oil is heated in the deep fryer for too long a time, the quality of the extracted UFO‐ME will also be impaired. 1.2.2 Possible barriers Based on the experience of the projects (Civitas/Trendsetter)1 some economical barriers have to be faced to use UFO‐ME in public transport. Indeed, the production of biodiesel from UCO is expensive and, in particular, the production of high quality biodiesel. Secondly, some technical issues had to be faced during the project. Engines had to be modified to use biodiesel, in particular when pure biodiesel vehicles were used. There were also problems in winter, when biodiesel formed solidified waxes because of the cold temperature, that thickens the oil and so clogs fuel filters and injectors in engines. However, with the new generation of diesel engines it is not possible to get any warranty for using biodiesel 100%. For this reason the city of Graz and the Public Transport Company are now looking into the option of switching to other clean vehicles like CNG buses (in combination with the production of biogas) or hybrid busses. An on‐site test started in spring 2009 with both systems. Reference project: www.civitas.eu 1.3 Biodiesel from recycled cooking oil in La Rochelle France In the city of La Rochelle, a cooking oil recycling plant was opened in 2008 converting the used oil collected from local restaurant into biodiesel, as part of the city's efforts to encourage the use of alternative fuels. Prior to this project 50% of the waste cooking oil was collected by specialized companies, however, due to the high cost of collection, the remaining 50 % was disposed off to landfill with municipal waste or even worse discharged into the wastewater network. The aims of the recycling project were:
• To open a waste cooking oil treatment plant making using the oil collected from
restaurants in the local area;
• To manage the collection and recycling of waste cooking oil;
• To use the recycled cooking oil to replace pure plant oil in the blended fuel (30 percent
biofuel and 70 percent diesel) used in vehicles run by the city's Water Treatment and
Waste Management Departments.
1 Interview with Gherard Abblasser (Programme manager Civitas/trendsetter Graz)
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In early 2007 a survey was carried out among 400 restaurant owners in La Rochelle to assess the expected quantity of available oil and to explore the level of potential interest in such a service. Due to the high cost of the collection system the restaurants were offered to bring their oil free of charge to dedicated collection points, in cans provided by the Urban Community. In April 2008, the cooking oil recycling plant was opened and 60 agreements were signed between the Urban Community of La Rochelle and restaurant owners for the recycling of used oils. In January 2009, authorization was given by the French Government for the use of cooking oils as biofuel. 49 restaurants were involved in the collection system implemented by the Urban Community in December 2008. Reference project: www.civitas.eu 1.4 Recycling cooking oil in Palma de Mallorca, Spain The initiative was launched in 2007 by the Local Council of Palma de Mallorca, which introduced the Olilak system based on special plastic bottles and containers named “clakis”, distributed at local schools (20 schools), together with a promotional campaign. Students take “clakis” at home and return them full of UCO to their schools, placing them in specific containers. Student gets a new plastic bottle after placing a full one in the container. An authorized waste management company collects the oil and transport it to an industrial plant for its treating and filtering. Promotional materials were also distributed by the Local Council and by schools in an effort to combine the promotion of the recycling system with environmental education. Most of the collected oil is exported to the mainland for biodiesel production. Reference project www.biosire.eu
2. Results of case studies collected by the RecOil project
In work package 2 the RecOil consortium has analyzed a series of case studies across the countries involved in the project in order to identify the common denominators and the success and critical factors affecting the implementation of UCO collection transport and recycling projects. A template was developed to collect information on the organizations involved in the UCO collection projects, the types of collection and transport systems, the promotional campaigns and other additional information. Overall 44 templates were collected from the participating countries. In the next the main findings and common aspects identified in this task will be described. 2.1 Types of UCO collection systems UCO collection systems typically involve private as well as public organizations. In the majority of cases the project promoters were local authorities such as municipalities or local energy agencies.
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Most often times they provide support in promotion activities and collection points, whereas private or public/private companies are involved in the actual collection and transport process. The companies that physically collect the oil at collection points are also very frequently involved in the transport and transformation process (63% of the cases with response). In one case, a charity NGO was the coordinator and physically involved in collection and transport of oil. According to a report of 2007 of the BioDieNet project, non profit (45%) and public organisations (32%) are the most common legal status of energy agencies while only the 11% of them are profit‐making organisations. Local authorities and other public bodies are generally constrained from carrying out directly commercial activities. However, local authorities could incorporate biodiesel production into their overall activities if it is for the purpose of supplying their own transport fleets with biofuel. Local authorities also have the possibility to set up organisations such as energy agencies which can carry out commercial activities and can be profit‐making. 2.2 Typical collection methods The most typical collection method is by far the establishment of public collection points in gathering places such as schools, supermarkets, parking lots, municipal buildings etc. 33 out of 44 templates reported this type of collection whereas only 2 reported a system based on door to door collection (in 5 cases there are both systems of collection and 3 of them didn’t answer). Collection points are placed in easily reachable gathering places that attract large numbers of people. Schools are by far the most common place used to collect oil, however the containers are also frequently placed directly on the streets. Other frequent places are supermarkets and municipal markets, municipal buildings, eco‐areas, parking lots, bars and associations’ premises. 2.3 Delivery method by user In the majority of cases used cooking oil is delivered by citizens in bottles or containers provided by the implementing organizations (60% of the templates with response) and in several cases it can also be delivered in bulk into large containers at the collection points (25% of the cases) whereas in the 13% of the cases both methods of delivering are used. In one case, the company supplied a special container with plastic bags upon request to customers. Once the bag is full (2L capacity), it is taken out the little container and deposited by customers in the collecting containers placed in the street.
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Figure 2. Deposition of bottled liquid in containers.
Figure 3. Funnels provided to ease the pouring of UCO into bottles by householders
Figure 4. Different types of collection points
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Figure 5. Types of tanks and individual containers for householders
2.4 Frequency of collection There is no rule of thumb for the definition of collection frequency, it highly depends on the size of the project, the number and type of containers, the density of population and the participation of citizens. Indeed the frequency of collection can vary between as often as daily to even twice every 2 months. 2.5 Means of transport used Special vans with pumps and tanks can be used to load the bulk oil and transport it, or in case of oil delivered in bottles or small containers, these are directly taken to the treatment unit.
Figure 6. Types of trucks and vans for the transport of UCO from collection points
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2.6 Means of payment for UCO For an implementing organization there are two ways of getting paid for the oil collected by the biodiesel producer or final users (i.e. researchers, chemical industry). The oil can be paid in currency (29% of responses) or in goods/services (57% of responses). It must be pointed out that in the case of payment in currency, it was often difficult or impossible to get information on the actual value of the UCO, as this is obviously considered as a confidential issue by most companies. In the cases where data were collected, values range between 8‐12 €/ton to 120 €/1.000 litres to as high as 700 €/t. When the oil is paid back in goods, these can be either the biodiesel itself (i.e. 1 litre of biodiesel per 7 litres of UCO, or 5% of the annual UCO collected) as well as cleaning agents and detergents. In several cases, the system is so that the UCO is paid back in good and services, such as the organization of the collection and transport system, or the development of promotion material and the organization of promotion campaigns. The last 14% of cases uses both means of payment. 2.7 UCO destination The main destination of the UCO collected is for the production of biodiesel (88% of responses), though in some cases it can also be used for industrial applications (for example for making soap, wax, bio lubricant) or for energy production in stationary engines, or for cogeneration by using the oil as fuel in large stationary generators. In the majority of cases the biodiesel produced is sold to market (38%), and partially provided back to the promoting organizations to use i.e. in municipal truck fleets (14%). 2.8 Description of promotion activities Promotional campaigns are an important tool for the successful launch and implementation of UCO recycling processes as it is vital to get the citizens and all the stakeholders involved by raising their awareness on the importance of recycling and providing them with accurate and detailed information on how to take part in the UCO collection project and how to deliver the oil correctly. The activities that are performed in the promotion campaigns vary according to the different local conditions, the ambitions and the possibilities of the implementing organizations. Campaigns usually target a wide audience of citizens and stakeholders to educate about how to collect and recycle UCO and give information about the damages of oil discharge and the benefits of recycling. The different materials produced give information about the collecting process, the localization of the public collecting points and the proper ways to store UCO at home and to deliver it. Campaigns can include direct and indirect communication activities. Direct actions can be public presentations of the UCO collecting system to neighbors associations, workshops about UCO collecting and recycling, visits to school, exhibition at fairs, distribution of containers or funnels to citizens together with personal letters signed by local authorities (i.e. mayor) etc.
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Indirect communication activities can include communication on local media (radio and local tv), and other important means like distribution of informative brochure and leaflets, websites etc. For the continuation of a UCO collection campaign it is also important to include also mid‐term promotion activities to keep the population engaged and inform stakeholders about the success of the campaigns, i.e. communicating the performances and the volumes of UCO collected, trends etc. Info‐points are frequently established in public gathering places, where citizens can get information and also collect tanks and UCO containers. Sometimes brands are involved in the promotional activities (i.e. in one case the company McCain providing branded empty bottles to store the UCO).
Figure 7. Branded empty bottles distributed at local stores by company McCain
In other cases, contests for citizens with prizes are organized or citizens themselves receive a reward for the UCO collected, like in a case where local virgin olive oil is donated to citizens that deliver UCO to eco‐areas. Supermarkets are often chosen as partners in promotion activities, since they are very popular gathering points and very effective marketing partners. The support and involvement of local authorities and public figures is often very important, as well as that of educators and teachers. The duration of campaigns varies a lot, between a few months and 1‐2 years; in some cases these are replicated from time to time. The target audience is sometimes restricted, i.e. pupils and teachers, but most often comprises all the population with no restrictions of age or sex. 2.9 Types of communication materials used The most common tools used for promotion campaigns are newspaper articles and local newspaper advertisements (77% of organizations used newspapers to communicate
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information about their projects whereas only 15% used TV programs and radio talk‐shows), but also websites (49%) are widely used. Other common tools used for promotion campaigns are leaflets (59%) and brochures(49%), posters(26%) and other visual communication materials. Last but not least, the UCO container itself is often used (38% of times) as communication tool as well (see figure below).
Figure 8. Examples of UCO containers used as communication tools
2.10 Hygiene and safety issues In the majority of the studied cases no problems were reported concerning hygiene at the collection points (67% of responses), however in some cases it was reported that the frequent discharge and pouring or bulk oil into the containers generate lots of dirt on the container itself and on the floor. In some cases the oil spills from the containers and this requires their cleaning. Caution must be put also in the choice of containers to give to the householders, making sure that the filling process is easy and doesn’t lead to any spills, as this would reduce the willingness of citizens to collect and deliver the oil. In some rare cases it was reported that the dirty container stained the clothes of the people delivering their UCO. The risk of UCO theft is very common and reported in many of the case studies (80% of organizations declares that UCO theft risk is average or high, in particular 20% f the case declared the system as not secure). Whenever possible, containers should be placed in closed areas, and always locked. Incidents and acts of vandalism are also reported frequently. In some cases, the oil was contaminated with mineral oil.
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The materials used for the collection of oil must be properly managed, i.e. the plastic bottles or containers must be washed and sent to recycling. Mud and impurities must be separated and treated or disposed off into landfills.
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3. Success and critical factors for UCO collection and promotion systems
In order to describe the best practices for a good UCO utilisation project, a series of common denominators of success of the previous experiences can be highlighted. First of all support by local administrations represents the most important factor that could influence the success of the project. In many cases, local administration participated in the promotion campaign of the project, for example through announcements in the municipal website, presentation and description of the initiative written on letters by mayors and sent to citizens etc. Another important contribution to the promotion of the project is often represented by the large engagement of local stakeholders, for example neighbours associations, consumers and users federations, NGOs, supermarkets, local waste management companies , schools. In particular, the involvement of schools is often fundamental for the purpose of the project, that’s why UCO collection points are often positioned in the schools or nearby. Visits to school, workshops with teachers and young mothers represent a very important moment of divulgation. In addition, new generations becomes aware of the importance of recycling and reuse. Promotional campaigns should be massive and developed via multiple communication activities, first of all publishing the initiative on newspapers. In addition, leaflets, brochures, posters, outdoor billboards, even lettering on vehicles could help to impress upon the mind the new proposal. Other communication channels that should be used are TV programs, radio talk shows, websites and social media. The collecting container itself must include information and signage to promote the initiative. The collection and delivery of the product must be as simple as possible. For instance, in some cases special funnels are supplied upon request to citizens and as a part of promotional campaign, in order to facilitate the pouring of UCO into plastic bottles (PET) before delivery to collection points. Indeed oil spills from bottles or containers represent the main hygienic problem described by recoil partners. This can seriously affect the hygiene quality of the collection point or even stain citizen’s clothes. The strategic positioning of UCO collection points in public places is also really important to make all the process easier for the citizen. Supermarkets and schools are some examples of the places chosen by the organisations involved. In order to stimulate citizen’s willingness to participate into collection project’s, some rewards can be proposed. In Italy, the Municipality of Baronissi provided back to citizens 1L of extra virgin oil for each 20L of UCO collected and delivered. Last but not least, explanations about the final utilization of UCO (biodiesel production, soap etc.) that clarify which are the benefits of UCO collection and recycling are really important. In
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this way, citizens will find stronger reasons to use the UCO collecting system instead of pouring it down into sinks.
Table 4. List of success factors
Frequent and common denominators of success cases
Support by local administrations Involvement of local municipal waste management companies
Large engagement of local stakeholdersEngagement of student's families and teachers
Strategic positioning of UCO collection points in public places
Engagement of student's families and teachers
Citizens engagement through rewards and ease of delivery
Massive promotion via multiple communication activities
3.1 The door to door collection system One of the possible Used Cooking Oil collection system is the so‐called “door‐to‐door”. Actually, this solution can be really successful when a door‐to‐door waste separate collection system is in place. The main objective of door‐to‐door UCO collection is to avoid an incorrect use of public tanks in the streets. Indeed the majority of the collected templates reports the risk of contamination of UCO with other kind of substances, such as mineral oils. Door‐to‐door UCO collection systems can be organized through the free distribution of collection tanks to citizens by the Municipality itself or by waste management companies. Afterwards, a detailed collection calendar is arranged which is strictly connected to the amount of UCO produced locally. Door to door systems are meant to raise the awareness of citizens, that become important actors of the collection system itself. Door‐to‐door systems can be more comfortable for citizens since the pick‐up of the containers is made directly at their homes in specific days. Another problem that a door‐to‐door system can solve is the lack of hygiene of the containers in the public streets, linked to spills or incorrect delivery of the oil by citizens. While the economic cost of this kind of collection system can be higher than public collection points, the
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amount of UCO that can be collected can be much higher and this can make this system quite advantageous. In addition, the greater amount of UCO collected can increase the local market and create new jobs opportunities. Finally, this system gives the possibility to municipalities to allow for discounted tariffs for virtuous families, according to “the more you recycle the less you pay” principle. This kind of mechanism cannot be used in public collection system. 3.2 Critical factors and potential barriers for UCO collection and promotion systems A critical factor in many of the investigated case studies is represented by the vandalism against the UCO collection equipment. In several cases, the collection containers are covered with graffiti or tagging. In other cases, the equipment is damaged (for example, the containers were found overturned and the door for inner container removed or broken) causing the disability of its function. In other cases, the public collection points were even burnt. These acts of vandalism can also originate a series of problems, such as oil spills that affect the cleanliness of the streets. As the value of UCO in the market has been rising in the course of time, so did UCO theft events as well. UCO thefts occur frequently through the top opening of the container, either manually when the bottles are within reach, or using a hook to pull the bottles that have a handle or are in a bag. In many of these cases the collection containers were too fragile and inadequate to avoid this kind of risk. Another significant critical factor concerns problems with hygiene maintenance during the collection process. Indeed, it is difficult to ensure the hygiene of the collection points, both of the containers and of the surrounding area. Users sometimes spill UCO accidentally while disposing it off into containers, causing the leakage of UCO to the street (sidewalk and driveway). In several cases, users refuse to empty the bottles, leaving them on the filter. Often the opening of the container becomes dirty while the user is pouring the UCO, and this kind of dirt is very difficult to remove. Anyway, the UCO delivery operation can cause spills that could create stains on clothes or hands. As consequence, teachers and parents revealed their fear that children would spill the oil and get their clothes and materials dirty. In one reported case, in order to avoid spills or accidents with students, the oil that students brought was handled by auxiliary staff and the UCO container kept hidden; as a result, most of the school community did not know of its existence (lack of awareness/promotion). One case study reports that if the collection points are far from the private houses, it’s fundamental to have a car to reach these facilities. Containers strategically placed at supermarkets premises would facilitate UCO collection for citizens but sometimes supermarkets managers are scared by the risk of odours which may arise from the collection systems. Another important risk that could rise is the possible contamination of UCO with mineral oils.
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This could happen when someone puts bottles with mineral oil or pour directly it into the containers. In the first case, there is no contamination of the UCO because the bottles with mineral oil are easily separated. In the second case, the contamination of mineral oil makes the entire content useless for biodiesel production and requires a different handling of the waste. In other less frequent cases urban wastes (e.g., plastic, glass, organic, etc.) are also inserted into UCO containers. Other more general critical factors were reported by previous projects (i.e. BioDieNet) For instance, the amount of UCO collected might not be sufficient to satisfy the supply needs of biodiesel producers. In addition, the initial investment (material, human and financial resources) could be really high. The biodiesel quality also must be constantly taken under control to avoid damages to the engines’ performances. In some case the administrative procedures could also be a burden for the development of the project.
