Purpose
Fuel use is one of the most significant contributors to the food system’s environmental footprint. Within ABP Food Group, Olleco plays a critical role in reducing our impact in this area.
As a renewables division operating at scale across the UK, Olleco collects used cooking oil and food waste from tens of thousands of foodservice customers and converts these materials into low carbon fuels and energy.
Action
Olleco collects used cooking oil from restaurants, caterers and food manufacturers. The oil is then taken to Olleco’s biofuel refineries, where it is cleaned, filtered and refined into high quality biodiesel for use by external customers and internal operations.
As part of our commitment to circularity, the fuel is used in the Olleco fleet, meaning the vehicles collecting the used oil are powered by that same waste stream. On top of the used cooking oil, food waste collected from customers is transported to a network of facilities.
Impact
The biofuel initiative has eliminated the need for fossil derived diesel in large parts of Olleco’s fleet. The reduced consumption of diesel, which is carbon-intensive in both production and combustion, has cut greenhouse gas emissions.
What’s more, every litre of biodiesel produced prevents a waste stream of used cooking oil from becoming an environmental liability. The circular system aligns directly with our goals to reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and lower the carbon footprint of transport and energy use.