Find out how pupils are helping recycle cooking oil to make biofuel
Teachers and students show the world that an idea can save our planet
Three years ago, I started a campaign at the Delhi Private School (DPS). Being the head of the Environment Council, I thought I needed to do something to help with recycling the massive quantities of cooking oil that is used daily. I then started the ‘Recoil Blue’ campaign with Blue, a company that helps create “sustainable waste management and environmental services solutions”.
The school has an Environment Council — a group consisting of teachers and students who aim to make a difference and taking steps towards [attaining] a sustainable future.
Going ahead with the campaign with same zeal even after three years, it is still going as strong and has inspired many.
THREE YEARS AND STILL GOING STRONG
“DPS students and teachers were etching a new way for other schools and eco groups to follow, by collecting used cooking oil in their communities and bringing it to the school’s collection centre, educating neighbours and reducing our oil consumption from every house they knew,” Dilbag Singh Thakur, a parent, whose family regularly contributes to make a difference, said.
Anagha Rajesh, student of Our Own English High school, also contributed around five litres of used cooking oil to DPS and received an appreciation letter from the campaign officials.
Rajesh feels that by launching a used cooking oil campaign, the DPS Environment Council and I have helped create awareness about the disastrous results of not recycling cooking oil and [as a result] are encouraging more and more people to recycle it.
“I am truly inspired by them and keep myself updated on their next move. Each day Anjum takes us by surprise,” said Rajesh.
“This initiative of our school will prove to be greatly beneficial for human health and the environment,” said Afnan Hassan, a seventh-grade student.
“We thoroughly enjoy the entire campaign at our Primary Wing and look forward along with the students to the collection day anticipating our results in total litres of oil collected,” said Rajni Mahajan, environment coordinator from the council.
According to Talat Zubair, “It is very interesting and at the same time not easy to keep everyone charged and moving ahead to make a difference in such a huge set up.”
“But we have done it and will keep doing it,” added Hemlata Upreti.
Zubair and Upreti are teachers who have been active members of the campaign since the day of its inception.
AN INSPIRATION TO OTHER SCHOOLS
Rashida Adil, environment in charge at Sharjah Indian School, also appreciated the initiative and said: “I was not aware at all that we can initiate such a practice through schools, which Anjum has dared to. I strongly support her and her school. Looking forward to start the same at my school.”
All our efforts come to action only because of the endless support of our school principal Vandana Marwaha, who is always ready to take up any challenge while always keeping sustainability in mind.
WHERE DOES THE OIL GO?
Many people have approached me to find out where the oil we collect goes. The oil is sent to Blue. Using the equipment and technology they possess, it gets converted to biodiesel.
My sense of social responsibility has now transformed the initiative into a community event. Students from various schools around the UAE and even my neighbours come and drop off their used oil. Monthly, at least 50 litres of oil are collected.
Due to awareness campaign picking momentum through our social media platform, the amount is steadily increasing.
Finally, I’d like to highlight that our purpose of this campaign is not at all to win accolades or laurels but to make a difference.
BLUE COMPANY COMMENT
“The essence of sustainability is to always be looking to the future. As a company and as a member of the community, Blue LLC sees partnerships with schools as a means of educating the next generation on the importance of protecting and preserving our resources,” said Zachary Malcarne, Sustainability Unit Coordinator at Blue, Alserkal Group.
“Collecting Used Cooking Oil (UCO) is a small step in teaching larger principles about how daily actions can be smart, economic, and environmentally friendly.” ■ Be a community reporter. Tell us what is happening in your community. Send us your videos and pictures at readers@ gulfnews.com