Super Recolhe is a used cooking oil (UCO) recycling project that prevents the disposal of a harmful residue into the environment, particularly water, and converts it into clean energy. Super Recolhe uses this residue as a feedstock for biodiesel production.
The pilot started in March 2022, with the first phase involving 10 bulk customers from bars and restaurants, with the objective of determining whether Supergasbras could design an effective process to collect used cooking oil and reach a minimum viable volume to operate. The first phase was concluded in February 2023, with 1,000 litres of oil collected, preventing the contamination of 25,000,000 litres of water. Supergasbras also partnered with the NGO Ação da Cidadania to distribute 500 meals to the Quilombola Community Santa Luzia, located in the pilot area (Porto Alegre – RS).
Following the first phase of the project, Super Recolhe won at the Dutcham Inspire Awards 2023 in the Environment and Climate category.
One key observation of the first phase was that there was already a market established for collecting used cooking oil from bars and restaurants. In the second phase, we redirected our strategy to involve our retail partners in the project, with oil collection points at their business facilities and collecting oil from homes while delivering LPG. Supergasbras supplied all containers, marketing materials, and safety instructions to the retailers. This new approach resulted in less competition and greater environmental impact, as households are the primary source of improper disposal of used cooking oil.
As a result, the second phase was concluded in January 2024, with more than 5,000 litres of oil collected, which will be used for biodiesel production, and all revenue will be used to support social aid initiatives in the communities around the pilot area. The project was also handed over to the Supergasbras marketing and business teams to design the expansion strategy and roll-out in other locations.
"Super Recolhe repurposes harmful waste residue for biodiesel production, investing 100% of revenue into local communities."
Gabriel Rodrigues Romero, Sustainability Manager, Supergasbras, Brazil
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