6February 2025. The Wielkopolska region has joined the Nationwide Collection of Used Cooking Oil (UCO). It is here, in ten municipalities, that more Oilmats will appear – a milestone to expand the number of waste fractions that can be collected and segregated by households nationwide.
Used cooking oil is waste generated in every household. It includes, among others, oil and butter after frying, oil from salads, cans and preserves, margarine, fats left over from roasting meats, and oils used in marinades and sauces. Although to many it seems like ordinary liquid waste, its improper disposal can have serious consequences.
Why is oil recycling important?
Pouring UCO into the sewer system causes grease to build up in the pipes, leading to clogging and the formation of deposits that are difficult to remove, resulting in water and sewage infrastructure failures that are costly to repair. If it enters soil or surface water, it can contaminate it and disrupt aquatic ecosystems.
– Hundreds of thousands of tons of cooking oil are consumed in Poland each year, but its recovery is still low. Proper collection and processing of UCO allows not only to reduce environmental pollution, but also to use this raw material to produce modern renewable fuels. This is a real step toward reducing CO₂ emissions and developing a closed-loop economy. – says Malgorzata Rdest, Vice President of EMKA.
Recovered oil can be reused not only in the fuel industry, but also in the production of detergents, candles and other industrial components. With proper segregation, we reduce the negative impact of waste on the environment and contribute to more efficient use of raw materials.
UCOllector – a revolutionary system
UCOllector is a revolutionary system that allows for the creation of a network of points at the municipal level with machines to which the local community can donate UCO. This project will bring a significant increase in the level of recycling and recovery from waste at the level of municipalities and local governments. The system consists of special machines, but also innovative bottles, an interactive mobile application, logistics processes, recycling and reporting processes, as well as extensive educational and promotional activities including EMKA Oil’s flagship project – “Oil you pass, tree you have!”.
“Oil out, tree sprout!” – how does UCOllectors work?
As part of the “You’ll pass the oil, you’ll have a tree!” campaign, UCOllectors will dispense an empty bottle, made of eco-friendly material that can withstand the high temperature of the oil, to a user who registers in advance in a special free app. The average duration of oil collection in a household, is one and a half months. With the help of the app, the user returns the full bottle to UCOllector, and his account is credited with points that can be exchanged for ecological rewards, such as tree seedlings.
Intuitive mobile app
The UCOllectors mobile app is an intuitive tool for managing UCO collection from the user’s level. It is available for iOS and Android devices. To use it, create an account, collect points for donated oil and exchange them for attractive prizes. The app also provides instructions for proper collection, locates the nearest UCOllectors and reads a variety of educational materials on ecology and environmental protection.
UCOllectors in Greater Poland
The innovative solution of UCOllectors will gradually make its way to local governments across the country. There will be 10 UCOllectors in Greater Poland, where residents will be able to donate used cooking oil. Municipalities that have joined the project, under the Intermunicipal Association “Waste Management Center – SELEKT” are:
- Buk Municipality (Zakład Gospodarki Komunalnej Sp. z o. o. )
- Opalenica Commune
- Municipality of Stęszew
- Zbąszyń municipality
- Dopiewo Commune
- Czempin Municipality
- Municipality of Komorniki
- Grodzisk Wielkopolski Municipality
- City of Kościan
- City of Puszczykowo
The symbolic moment of the start of activities in Greater Poland was the signing ceremony, which took place on February 6 at the headquarters of the Selekt Association. The event was attended by representatives of the local government, local authorities and organizers of the project. Małgorzata Rdest, the initiator of the Olejomaty project, stressed the importance of this initiative for environmental protection:
– Our goal is not only the development of modern infrastructure for UCO collection, but also environmental education and a real change in habits. Everyone who segregates used oil has an impact on the cleanliness of the environment and the conservation of natural resources. I am glad that Poznań is joining this mission and becoming another city supporting our initiative.
For more information about the Oil Makers initiative, visit: www.olejomaty.pl.
About the Olejomaty project
Oilmats is a revolutionary system that allows the creation of a network of points with machines at the level of municipalities, cities and other organizational units to which the local community can donate used cooking oil (UCO). The project will bring a significant increase in the level of recycling and recovery from waste at the local government and national level. The system consists of special machines, but also innovative bottles, an interactive mobile application, logistics processes, recycling and reporting processes, as well as extensive educational and promotional activities including EMKA Oil’s flagship project – “You pass the oil, you get the tree!”.
About EMKA S.A.
EMKA S.A. is one of the leading companies in Poland engaged in the disposal of medical and veterinary waste. Its origins date back to 1992. Since 2000, the company has specialized in collection, transport and disposal of waste, introducing modern technological and organizational solutions that have set new standards in the industry. Thanks to innovation, flexibility and a comprehensive approach to customer service, EMKA S.A. has earned a reputation as a pioneer in medical waste management. With an experienced team and a high level of service, the company not only meets but often exceeds customer expectations, contributing to sustainable development and environmental protection. Building on its experience in the waste industry, the company has expanded its operations to include workshop waste, offering a comprehensive service to garages for waste collection, transportation and disposal.
