'Diesel do nicely' say waste oil recyclers

Amazing Waste - Bio fuel

A community recycling project has started making its own biodiesel out of used vegetable oil. MK NEWS reporter Laura Hannam went down to their warehouse in Kiln Farm to find out more.

AMAZING Waste, a social enterprise group which is part of the Milton Keynes Christian Foundation, is using oil donated from pubs, takeaways and restaurants to make environmentally friendly biodiesel, which they plan to sell to the public.

The group, which is used to trail blazing after starting one of the first curbside recycling collections in the UK in Milton Keynes twenty years ago, has taken its latest step in utilising green technology.

Oliver Badger, project leader, explained: "It's much cheaper than diesel is at the pump at the moment and it's a very green fuel because it comes from 100 per cent recycled vegetable oil and emits 80 per cent less carbon dioxide particles compared to normal diesel.

"Also there are benefits for your car; because it's a natural oil it will act as a lubricant and clear out a lot of the mess and carbon that's in the pipes, so it's a fantastic fuel."

Vegetable oil is already donated to the project by restaurants including the Shoulder of Mutton in Calverton, Robinsons and The Kings Arms in Newport Pagnell, and The Bull in Stony Stratford, who all benefit from avoiding having to pay to dispose of this 'problem' waste product.

The fuel-making process begins by draining the oil to fish out large pieces of sediment.

Then the oil is put into a 'Fuelpod2' machine where it is heated slightly before being mixed with chemicals that turn it into biodiesel.

The fuel is filtered several times before it is ready and can be used in most modern diesel fueled cars without adapting the engine.

The waste product glycerin can also be used as a natural fertiliser.

Mr Badger added: "Some experts have worked out that with the cost of electricity and of the chemicals used it should be as cheap as 40p a litre to produce.

"The biodiesel that we are currently making is going to fuel our own vehicles."

Since it's ancestor the Community Recycling Opportunities Programme (CROP) stopped its curb-side recycling collections, Amazing Waste has been providing recycling for small and medium size businesses for the last six years, sorting cardboard, paper, plastics, tins and cans and all of the foil that is discarded in pink sacks across the city.

It also renovates donated office furniture and bikes.

Young people who are outside of mainstream education work full-time on the project and gain experience and skills that get them ready for the workplace.

Mr Badger added: "First and foremost it helps to raise their self esteem because I think all too often they have been told that they're not doing very well, if they've failed in a school setting or they are having a rough time at home.

"I'd like to think that coming here is a sort of safe haven for them. There's always encouragement going on."

Amazing Waste plan to sell biodiesel to the general public for around £1.02p a litre.

The project is not yet up to full production, but if you are interested in having your car filled up or any business that wants to donate vegetable oil visit www.amazingwaste.wordpass.com for more information, email info@amazingwaste.co.uk or call 01908 623569.

- Amazing Waste has also launched a new project to recycle wood.

The 'Splinter Group' is using reclaimed timber donated by local businesses, such as from building sites, to make planters, chicken hutches, picket fences, bird boxes and other products.

Eight chicken hutches and a 30metre picket fence have already been made to supply the Urban Farm project in Wolverton.

The items will soon be available for the public to purchase. For more information call the number above and watch the video below.

Amazing Waste - Splinter Group