Fat’s a lot of use, says veg oil recycling firm

The company invested £2.3 million in improving the area’s sewerage system last year and is now asking residents to get into the habit of pouring waste oil into ‘Fat Vats’.

The waste oil can be turned into electricity by renewable energy firm Living Fuels which refines the waste oil to provide fuel that can be used to power an electricity generator.

Houses in the Bradford Moor area of the city experienced more than 80 sewer blockage incidents in the past five years before the main cause was identified as cooking oils being poured down people’s sinks, causing blockages in the pipes.

Duncan Woodhead, network protection technician at Yorkshire Water, said: “We’ve been working closely with local residents and are asking them to do their bit by not tipping their waste cooking fats, oils and greases down the sewer.

“A lot of people don’t realise the damage this can do because these liquids solidify when they get down to the sewers and that can cause blockages. We are all now looking forward to experiencing the benefits this new trial will bring.”.

Yorkshire Water has been working with the Bradford Moor-based Karmand Community Centre and Living Fuels.

The tubs of waste oil, which can hold up to 15 litres, are collected from doorsteps every fornight. In the four weeks since the project began, 150 litres have been collected. Yorkshire Water is monitoring the project’s impact and may extend it to other residents.