Converting Waste Cooking Oil from Problem to Power

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Waste cooking oil can clog drains and sewers, ruin septic tanks and pollute the environment if dumped in landfills. Storing waste oil and grease can be a health risk and potential fire hazard.

One solution is converting waste cooking oil into biodiesel, a vegetable oil- or animal fat-based fuel that can be used as a sustainable replacement for petroleum-based diesel. On Oct. 5, more than 50 representatives of the service industry, higher education and government will participate in a free workshop at Rochester Institute of Technology that will explain the technology involved in the process, as well as the potential environmental and economic benefits.

The event, which starts at 9 a.m. at RIT, is sponsored by the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute and Monroe County. The workshop will include presentations and demonstrations at RIT and a tour of the Monroe County EcoPark, 10 Avion Drive, Rochester, where waste cooking oil is collected from the community and processed into biodiesel to run service vehicles and maintenance equipment such as lawnmowers.

For more information or to register, call 585-475-2512 or go to the New York State Pollution Prevention Insitute website