(Scottish Borders Council) A new service which allows the public to recycle their leftover cooking oils has been launched. The service is now available at all seven community recycling centres in the Borders and has the backing of Scottish Water, who last year launched a campaign asking the public not to put cooking oil or grease down the sink.
Putting oil down the drain can cause unpleasant internal sewage flooding or pollute local rivers, coastal waters and beaches.
The previous alternative was placing the oil into a general waste bin, but this increases the amount of waste sent to landfill and therefore pollution, as well as increasing costs for the taxpayer.
How does it work?
- The new service will see the collected oil cleaned, filtered and processed into biofuel, for use as vehicle fuel or for power and energy generation.
- Any household cooking oil is accepted.
- Anyone wishing to use the new service is asked to collect their waste oil in an old sealed container which is not made of glass, which when full can then be deposited into special yellow bins set up at each recycling centre.
Councillor Gordon Edgar, our Executive Member for Roads and Infrastructure
“This is a simple but worthwhile new service which gives the public an opportunity to get rid of household cooking oils in a more environmentally friendly manner.
“This service means members of the public can play their part and recycle another material when visiting any of our recycling centres, helping to reduce pollution as well as costs to the Council, and allows a material to be reused.
“It will also prevent oils getting into the water system, which can cause blockages and even pollution into rivers, burns, streams and beaches.”
Scott Fraser, regional corporate affairs manager at Scottish Water
“We are delighted to support this campaign which will encourage people across the Borders to recycle their leftover cooking oils.
“Fats, oil and grease in liquid form may not appear to be harmful but as it cools it congeals and hardens. This can then cause blockages to drains and sewer pipes, which can lead to sewer flooding in gardens and properties. In extreme cases, blocked sewers can spill into burns, rivers, coastal waters and beaches, causing environmental damage.
“Every year we respond to around 35,000 blocked sewers, most of which could be avoided if we all remember to avoid pouring fats oils and grease down the sink and only flush the 3P’s – pee, poo and toilet paper.”
Images and video
An image of the new service is available at our Flickr page.