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About Waste Vegetable Oil Collections
Welcome to Waste Vegetable Oil — your trusted partner for free, responsible, and environmentally sound collection of waste cooking oil and animal fats across selected areas in the United Kingdom. As a licensed Environment Agency waste carrier, we provide commercial kitchens, food businesses, and catering operations with an easy and compliant way to manage used oil.
Our mission is to reduce the environmental impact of waste oils and fats by ensuring they are never poured down drains, discarded illegally, or sent to landfill. We work closely with businesses to ensure collections are prompt, paperwork is handled correctly, and oils are recycled into renewable resources that help power a greener future.
Our Mission and Values
At the heart of what we do is a commitment to sustainability and service. We believe that every drop of used cooking oil collected can be transformed into something useful — from biodiesel for public transport to ingredients in biodegradable cosmetics and cleaning products. Our work directly supports the UK’s carbon-neutral targets and waste reduction efforts. We’re not just a collection company — we’re part of a wider movement toward a cleaner and more responsible energy system.
We also aim to make the oil disposal process hassle-free for our clients. Whether you run a small takeaway or a large-scale catering operation, we adapt to your needs with flexible scheduling, container solutions, and responsive support.
Environmental Impact and Compliance
Improper disposal of cooking oil can lead to serious issues such as drain blockages, foul odours, pest infestations, and water pollution. It is illegal to pour waste oil down sinks or into sewers. Businesses that do so face potential prosecution, fines, and reputational damage.
That’s why we go beyond just collecting oil. We make sure all collected material is transported to certified processing facilities where it is refined and repurposed. By using our services, your business plays a vital role in protecting the UK’s waterways, ecosystems, and infrastructure.
We operate fully within the scope of the Environment Agency’s licensing rules. All collections include a Controlled Waste Transfer Note (WTN), which records the transfer legally and satisfies food hygiene and environmental inspection requirements. This paperwork is issued with every collection, ensuring you meet UK legal obligations.
Who We Serve
We proudly work with a diverse range of clients including:
- Pubs, bars, and nightclubs
- Restaurants, cafés, and fast-food outlets
- Hospitals, schools, and care homes
- Golf clubs and leisure centres
- Mobile food vendors and event caterers
- Casinos, garden centres, and community kitchens
Whether you're producing 20 litres per week or over 100 litres per month, we tailor our collection schedule to suit your requirements. We accept cleanly stored oil in your own containers or offer our durable, reusable blue barrels where needed. Pickup is available on a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly basis depending on volume and location.
What Happens to Your Oil?
Once collected, your used cooking oil is sent to authorized treatment and processing facilities. From there, it is filtered, refined, and reused in multiple industries including:
- Transportation: Converted into biodiesel and blended with other fuels to power public buses, trucks, and even aircraft (SAF – Sustainable Aviation Fuel).
- Industrial Energy: Burned in diesel generators or boilers for renewable power production, especially in off-grid and emergency backup systems.
- Agriculture: Used to fuel farming equipment or on-site generators in rural operations.
- Cosmetics & Personal Care: Transformed into oleochemicals used in the manufacture of soaps, skincare products, and shampoos.
- Chemical Industry: Turned into eco-friendly lubricants, surfactants, and bio-based cleaning agents.
- Environmental Innovation: Integrated into eco-construction projects such as bio-bricks and used in land remediation for polluted sites.
Our process not only reduces the burden on waste systems but also supports green energy supply chains across the UK.
Regulatory Framework
The disposal and handling of waste cooking oils are tightly regulated. Under UK law:
- Waste oil must not be poured into general rubbish or food waste bins
- It cannot be disposed of at public household recycling centres (Civic Amenity Sites)
- It is illegal to use waste cooking oil or catering waste as animal feed or in animal feed production
Our services ensure you remain compliant with all these requirements while benefiting from regular, no-cost collections that support your operational efficiency and sustainability goals.
How to Get Started
Getting started is simple. Contact us to schedule your free collection and let us know your business type and average oil volume. We’ll arrange a suitable time for pickup, supply containers if needed, and provide all necessary documentation. You’ll be contributing to a greener future while staying fully compliant with UK waste management laws.
Join Our Network
We are proud to be part of a national network supporting the circular economy and decarbonisation goals. The UK government is actively funding initiatives to repurpose waste oils into fuel and other sustainable products. By choosing a licensed collector like us, you are helping reduce landfill pressure, minimise fossil fuel reliance, and support clean tech industries.
Last updated - 02/05/2025