Liverpool ONE is leading the way in recycling by launching their groundbreaking Biofuel initiative this month.
Environmentally friendly officials at the retail complex hope the bold move will set a precedent for other leisure projects throughout the UK to follow.
The process involves collecting waste cooking oils from several restaurants including Chaophraya, Red Hot Buffet, Zeligs and Dinomat. The cooking oil will then be recycled into clean biodiesel that will be used to run Liverpool ONE's fleet of estate vehicles.
Biodiesel is made from vegetable oils, animal fats and other recycled greases.
Operations Director Chris Grundy said the scheme will particularly benefit the complex as Liverpool ONE uses 1,700 litres of diesel a month for their outdoor fleet, and the team hopes other large malls will benefit from the scheme, specifically those with outdoor areas.
The team decided to take on the Biofuels Initiative to continue their commitment to lower the city's carbon footprint. It is also another strand of a recycling programme that involves paper, card and plastics.
Chris Grundy said: "At present we are saving 40% of waste which hopefully will increase to 60%.
"We are involved in the Biofuels initiative because it is part of Liverpool ONE’s ongoing sustainability programme. The idea actually came from one of our team members in a brain storming session.
"That fact that the project is a national first for a retail and leisure development is something we’re really proud of.”
The main benefit of recycling the cooking oils into biofuels is that waste oils from restaurants would usually end up in landfill sites. Waste oils would also normally be removed from restaurants by lorries via road. Restaurants are therefore lowering their carbon footprint and at the same time cutting their costs.
By using biodiesel in their fleet Liverpool ONE will save an estimated 54 tonnes of CO2 in its first year alone.
Support Desk Manager Helen Maguire said: "The process is not too complicated and takes only 24-36 hours to fully complete. It takes place in a purpose built biofuel room underneath Liverpool ONE where waste oils are converted into clean biofuel."
Chris added: "The team also hopes to expand this project to include other businesses in the city.
"We can take it a lot further than just being in Liverpool ONE. In the future we keen to get to the position where we can provide Biodiesel for other partners in the city if they want to be involved. As a Green Ambassador for Liverpool it’s important that we take the lead."
The Biodiesel Initiative will go live shortly after March 25th, when the research and development period is complete.
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