Proposals have been launched by the Environment Agency and WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) aiming to cut regulatory red-tape so that waste vegetable oil from places like chip shops can be processed and used in engines more easily.

Almost 75,000 tonnes of waste vegetable oil being transformed into biodiesel each year.

Martin Brocklehurst, head of external programmes at the Environment Agency, said: “Biodiesel derived from waste vegetable oil is carbon-neutral – it reduces waste and improves resource efficiency.

We have worked with the biodiesel industry to develop this proposal, a Quality Protocol for waste vegetable oil, which will save businesses the time and costs associated with meeting waste regulations.

In deregulating biodiesel made from waste vegetable oil, the product can better compete with biodiesel derived from virgin oil.

This will also increase the volume of waste vegetable oil recovered from places like take-aways, restaurants, chip shops and food manufacturing sites.

It should also reduce the amount disposed to sewer with all the benefits that will bring to the water industry.”

By 2008/09, at least 2.5% of fuel consumed in the United Kingdom must be biofuel, rising to 5% in 2010/11.

Mr Brocklehurst said: “Despite 100,000 tonnes of waste vegetable oil being collected from the catering industry each year, a considerable amount still goes uncollected and ends up being poured down the drain.”