In hotel kitchens and restaurants, large quantities of used cooking oil are produced. This oil is often washed down drains and can end up polluting the environment, adding to climate change, and clogging up water bodies. But there is another way; used cooking oil is a renewable resource that can easily be recycled and substitute fossil fuels.

One initiative in Bali set out to collect used cooking oil regularly and free of charge from cooperating hotels and restaurants around the island, and especially in the most touristic areas. The collection is organised by a social enterprise, Lengis Hijau (Green Oil) created by Caritas Switzerland, Kuoni Travel Holding Ltd. and Foundation myclimate. This enterprise also provides new jobs for socially disadvantaged people.

Apart from the benefits to the environment and the new jobs created, the oil can be processed into biofuel by a specially built plant operated by the social enterprise. The biofuel can be used as a diesel substitute for shuttle buses operated by the cooperating hotels, which saves resources and reduces CO2 emissions of the hotels. Such emission reductions can be traded in the form of emissions certificates and help to refinance the project .

BENEFITS

The initiative helped to avoid environmental damage caused by discarded oil. It also allowed to provide social benefits such as creating a new business and green jobs.