From fryer to fuel: Turning used cooking oil into community impact
Every day across New South Wales, restaurants, hotels and clubs produce thousands of litres of used cooking oil. For many venues, it is simply part of doing business.
But through the Vinnies Used Cooking Oil Recycling (VUCOR) program, that everyday waste is being transformed into something valuable.
Run by St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, in partnership with EcoFry, the program allows hospitality venues to recycle used cooking oil safely and responsibly while helping generate funds for services and programs across the state. That means oil from major venues can be recycled and used to help support people experiencing hardship.
“Used cooking oil is something every commercial kitchen has to manage, and the Vinnies Used Cooking Oil Recycling program provides a simple way to do it responsibly,” said Phil Coyte, Executive Director of Commercial Enterprise, Retail and Fundraising.
“By partnering with EcoFry, we’re making it easy for venues to recycle their oil while generating funds that support Vinnies’ work helping people experiencing hardship across NSW.”
The initiative sits within our Commercial Enterprise directorate, which explores new revenue streams that support the Society’s work while reducing reliance on traditional fundraising and retail income.
“We try and keep things within that recycling, circular economy world,” Phil explained. “It’s part of our behaviour as an organisation.”
Used cooking oil recycling has changed significantly over the past two decades. What was once a disposal problem has become a commodity because it can now be processed into renewable fuels such as biodiesel.
“Previously, venues had to pay someone to take the oil away,” Phil said. “Now the oil has value because it can be recycled into biodiesel. It’s become a resource instead of a liability.”
That shift opened the door for a program with environmental, social and commercial benefits. Venues continue having their oil collected, but by participating, a portion of the rebate generated from that oil helps fund our services.
Improper disposal of cooking oil can damage plumbing systems, pollute waterways and contribute to landfill waste. Recycling ensures the oil is recovered and reused rather than discarded.
Oil recycling involves collecting used cooking oil from commercial kitchens, processing it and converting it into renewable products, most commonly biofuels. It is a practical example of a circular economy in action, where materials are reused and repurposed rather than thrown away.
EcoFry Managing Director Blair Kerr said the partnership shows how operational waste can create broader positive outcomes.
“Used cooking oil is an everyday by-product of commercial kitchens, but when managed correctly, it becomes a valuable resource,” he said.
“Through this partnership, we’re helping hospitality venues handle their waste oil safely and responsibly, while contributing to a circular economy solution that transforms it into renewable fuels. We’re proud to support a program that delivers both environmental and community outcomes.”
EcoFry supplies specialised storage equipment, manages compliant collections and ensures recovered oil is processed responsibly.
The program already includes more than 70 venues across NSW and is continuing to grow, with high-profile hospitality operators among those supporting the initiative.