Cookers brings sustainable solutions to the foodservice industry

Cookers Bulk Oil System provides an environmentally conscious model for the handling of oil at all stages within the foodservice industry.

Since November 2000, Cookers Bulk Oil System has offered reliable and environmentally friendly fresh and used cooking oil collection services to restaurants, pubs, hotels, cafes, fast foods, catering, and food manufacturers.

Traditionally, commercial cooking oil has been delivered in 20-litre tins which usually end up in landfill. Often up to 200 millilitres of residual oil can be left in the tins, which results in landfill.

Peter Fitzgerald, Director of Cookers, says its end-to-end solution is helping businesses work more efficiently by eliminating the need to continually order fresh cooking oil, manage stock and storage space and handle used cooking oil.

Peter says the solution came from the need to switch from single-use tins to a more sustainable option.

"Cookers found that there was a good model in providing stainless-steel equipment on a free loan basis, which offers a continual top-up, and eliminates tins going into landfill."

He says that when making the change from tins to stainless-steel equipment, an initiative to address used oil was also considered.

"In the past, used oil had been put back into tins, processed and sold on to stock food or it was exported overseas. Our solution, again, was to provide a stainless-steel system, suitable for food and kitchen, that we could collect oil in, process and ultimately eliminate individual tins. This helped to streamline the handling of used oil, making it safer and traceable."

The used oil journey doesn't stop at collection. Peter says it goes through a heating process to recover used cooking oil, water, and sludge.

"The oil is lighter than water and sludge. When heated the sludge drops to the bottom and is then harvested off.

"This sludge and wastewater is then transferred to a processing facility before disposal into the sewerage system."

Peter says after this process occurs; the oil that is left goes to multiple streams for a secondary purpose.

"The biggest market, internationally, for this oil is biofuels. However, the oil is also used as the fat ratio for stock food at feedlots and for alternative chemical-type uses," he says. "Over the past few years there have been initiatives for it to be included in products such as cling wrap and road base. These innovations continue to evolve and produce new markets for used cooking oil."

Peter says Cookers’ complete oil management system has contributed to a stronger focus on sustainability within the foodservice industry and he's proud of the environmental benefits it has brought.

"What we stop from going into landfill is significant. Each truck that we use to deliver fresh cooking oil, saves 300 tins, each weighing about a kilogram, going into landfill. Something we consider a great contribution," he says.

It also benefits businesses that have signed up to the Australian Packaging Covenant – an agreement between companies in the supply chain and all levels of government to reduce the environmental impacts of consumer packaging – which has been brought into focus over the past few years.

Peter says businesses who use Cookers’ bulk oil solution reduce their overall packaging waste.

"A lot of businesses are now steering away from packaged goods, not only is it better for the environment but it's more practical and saves money," he says.

"Cookers also supplies to remote locations, such as mines. Our model allows businesses in these remote areas to not worry about what to do with packaging and oil waste. We have it covered."

Peter says while this model is supported by the foodservice industry, Cookers is always looking to improve its business model and reach in the community.

"There are opportunities right throughout the country to improve the density of our services and the coverage we provide," he says. "We do logistics well. If we continue to adhere to a strong ethical business approach, provide excellent equipment, service, and oil, then we will continue to operate a good business model for the future."

For more information, visit: www.cookers.com.au

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