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Cooking oil and rendered animal fat

Used cooking oil and rendered animal fat can be used to create biodiesel – which can be used as automotive or heating fuel.

Through the Waste Protocols Project  we have gathered evidence on standards the material meets, markets it may be able to exploit, and most importantly any potential impacts on human health and the environment. The aim is to establish whether the waste can be considered to be fully recovered and a quality product.

What are the benefits?

In addition to diverting waste away from landfill, industry-wide compliance with a quality protocol could save around 1,589 tonnes of virgin raw material. We calculate it could save 5,884 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions annually.

It could save businesses over £290,000 each year and create markets worth over £1.5 million a year.

The current status

You can download the end of waste criteria for the production and use of biodiesel derived from waste cooking oil and rendered animal fat (quality biodiesel).

Find out how we regulate the production and use of biodiesel.

To find out how Northern Ireland regulates the production and use of biodiesel please follow this link:

Get involved

If you produce waste cooking oils or rendered animal fats, find out which recyclers can use your waste. A good place to start is the Waste Directory.

If you are a recycler, it is likely to be in your interests to comply with the relevant quality protocol.

If you are an end user of biodiesel created from these sources you can be assured of the quality of the fuel which is compliant with the protocol.

More information

If you would like further help, please email wasteprotocols@environment-agency.gov.uk