Recycling - Producer responsibility

Programme Director Daniel shares this commercial from Belgium.

"The collection and recycling system of oil is based on a mandatory producer responsibility program for oil and fat used for deep-frying introduced by Belgian authorities in 2004/2005. This means that all producers, importers and distributers in Belgium are responsible for the frying oil over its entire life cycle and hence have to finance the system of collection and treatment. And since they have to cover the cost for handling the waste oil, there is also an incentive to come up with good, useful (and profitable) solutions for what to make of it (e.g. biodiesel).

The collection of the oil is mainly done at central collection points (normally the same as for other “hazardous” wastes) but in some municipalities curbside collection is arranged as well. Normally you put the oil in its original bottle (or any plastic bottle) and leave it at the collection point for further transportation to central treatment and refining plants.

You do not get paid for the waste oil deposited, so the system relies on each individual’s respect for the environment. However, I think there may be a fine for those who are caught throwing away the waste oil with your regular thrash (but obviously very hard to control).

In order to encourage collection there are advertising campaigns going on every now and then, which are also financed through the producer responsibility program."