From Fryer to Fuel

As the world ventures towards greener alternatives, renewable energy has become crucial in reducing carbon emissions and guaranteeing long-term energy security. One of the most innovative approaches to sustainability involves recycling everyday waste into clean fuel. Used cooking oil, often discarded as a byproduct of households and restaurants, contributes significantly to environmental pollution when incorrectly disposed of. But what if this greasy waste could become a solution to the problem? In Egypt, that is exactly what the startup Tagaddod has done; pioneering a system to recycle used cooking oil into biodiesel, offering a cleaner, circular alternative to traditional fuels.

Tagaddod, meaning renewal in Arabic, has built a system to collect and convert the used cooking oil into clean-burning biodiesel. The process starts with the company’s Green Pan initiative, where households and businesses sign up to have their used oil picked up regularly. Once collected, the oil is transported to the processing facility in Alexandria, where it undergoes an extensive purification process to remove food particles, water, and impurities. The clean oil is then transesterified, which is the chemical process that converts the oil into biodiesel. This process meets international fuel standards, allowing the oil to be used in diesel engines. This circular approach transforms a simple everyday kitchen waste into a renewable energy source, cutting emissions and reducing dependency on imported fossil fuels.

This project helps stop the harmful habit of pouring used oil down the drain, which can damage the environment and clog pipes. It also helps keep the air cleaner and makes Egypt less dependent on imported fuel. As energy prices rise and demand grows, making biodiesel at home gives Egypt a cheaper and greener option. The project also creates new jobs and helps people learn more about protecting the environment. Tagaddod’s work shows how Egypt is moving toward smarter, more sustainable solutions for the future.

References

• https://youtu.be/cEi37JEOz_I?feature=shared

• https://mid-east.info/the-egyptian-company-making-biofuels-from-used-cooking-oil/

• https://enterprise.news/egypt/en/news/story/22e81fef-6d69-4cf8-9e3e-1ab2681067ac/the-business-of-recycling-used-cooking-oil

• https://ouda.org.eg/sustainable-development-solutions/ssda-solutions-demo/converting-cooking-oil-to-biodiesel/