Liverpool One claims biodiesel first

Liverpool One will begin using biofuel made from waste cooking oil produced in its restaurants later this month.

The biodiesel will power the fleet of estate vehicles and use collected oils from Chaophraya (inset below), Red Hot Buffet, Zeligs and Dinomat among others. Biodiesel is made from vegetable oils, animal fats and other recycled greases.

Chris Grundy, operations director, said Liverpool One uses 1,700 litres of diesel a month for its outdoor fleet, and the team hopes other large malls will benefit from copying the scheme, specifically those with outdoor areas.

Grundy said: "At present we are saving 40% of waste which hopefully will increase to 60%. We are involved in the biofuels initiative because it is part of Liverpool One's ongoing sustainability programme. The idea actually came from one of our team members in a brain storming session.

"That fact that the project is a national first for a retail and leisure development is something we're really proud of."

The cooking oils would usually end up in landfill sites. Waste oils would also normally be removed from restaurants by lorries via road. Restaurants are therefore lowering their carbon footprint and at the same time cutting their costs.

By using biodiesel in their fleet Liverpool One will save an estimated 54 tonnes of CO2 in its first year alone.

Helen Maguire, manager of the Liverpool One support desk, said: "The process is not too complicated and takes only 24-36 hours to fully complete. It takes place in a purpose built biofuel room underneath Liverpool One where waste oils are converted into clean biofuel."

Liverpool One said it intends to offer assistance to other businesses in the city if they wish to recycle waste oil in a similar way.