Charity recycles over half a million litres of cooking oil

Les Amis is aiming to double the amount of Waste Cooking Oil (WCO) the charity’s Recycling Team collects after reaching just over half a million litres in less than four years.

Since Les Amis started collecting WCO from island businesses in March 2018, the charity has helped to recycle 549,602 Litres. That's the equivalent to nearly 3,500 filled bathtubs, or the combined weight of 1,000 fully grown Jersey cows. The waste oil is filtered and sent to the UK where it is converted into biofuel.

Les Amis’ Recycling Team was set up as the charity’s social enterprise arm in 2017 and has grown from one full-time employed resident to a team of five, all of whom have formal work contracts. The service, which became an ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) business in 2018, started off collecting used cooking oil from 30 hotels, pubs and restaurants. It now collects from 160 businesses in the hospitality sector.

Jason Loveless, Head of Support Services, said: “We are thrilled that so many businesses and islanders have come on board with this service, helping us all become a more sustainable island. For Les Amis, it provides valuable and meaningful employment for residents who are on the recycling team. A couple of years ago, we were able to buy a second van with help from the Jersey Association of Charities, allowing more of our members to play a part in making the world a better place through improving our natural environment.”