Can used cooking oil be transformed into clean energy? The answer is yes. Instead of discarding it down the drain, which contaminates soils, rivers, and sewer systems, a national campaign encourages recycling it to convert it into biofuel. This is the “Reciclá tu Aceite” initiative, which has already reached 15 provinces and allows households and gastronomic businesses to join a circular economy model.
Every year, in Argentina over 100 million liters of used vegetable oil are generated, and a large part of this waste ends up contaminating the environment due to improper management. However, since 2017, the company DH-SH, based in Capitán Bermúdez (Santa Fe), collects and transforms this oil into biodiesel, an alternative, renewable, and less polluting fuel.
This action becomes particularly relevant on the eve of World Recycling Day, celebrated on May 17 by UNESCO’s initiative to raise awareness about proper waste management. DH-SH’s proposal aims not only to reduce the environmental impact of oil but also to promote a cultural change regarding recycling.
The campaign collaborates with municipalities, schools, and companies through three main pillars: collecting at gastronomic establishments, green collection points for private homes, and an Environmental Education Program aimed at educational institutions.
Recycling used oil, a simple action with a great environmental impact
“Recycling cooking oil is turning a polluting waste into a source of clean energy,” says Antonella Druetta, Sustainability Manager at DH-SH. In a country where 90% of the energy matrix depends on fossil fuels, adding biofuels —currently representing only 4.7%— is crucial, according to ILO data.
Participation is easy: just let the used oil cool, pour it into a clean plastic bottle, and seal it properly. Then, take it to the nearest green collection point. Adhering municipalities provide information on their official channels about their locations. You can also look them up online.
“When a community commits, the impact is twofold: pollution is prevented, and awareness about recycling is raised,” emphasizes Sebastián Soso, Communication Manager of the company. Additionally, it promotes a value chain that starts at home and ends with the production of clean energy.
Education, awareness, and a national network
A key component of the project is education. DH-SH’s Environmental Education Program has already reached over 5,000 students in 10 provinces with digital content, talks, and even an animated short film starring the “Little Great Recyclers,” superheroes who teach children how to care for the planet.
Since 2017, over 33,500 tons of oil have been collected, preventing the contamination of nearly 37 million cubic meters of water —equivalent to 14,500 Olympic swimming pools—, according to the company’s Second Sustainability Report. A single liter of oil can contaminate up to a thousand liters of water, so its proper collection represents a concrete contribution to environmental and public health.
The reuse of oil also reduces maintenance costs in sewer systems and sanitary infrastructure and strengthens the regional economy by creating direct and indirect employment in treatment plants, logistics, and associated companies.
Recognition for a sustainable practice
Due to its positive impact, the campaign was honored with one of the Obrar Federal 2024 Awards from the Argentine Advertising Council. It is also part of the United Nations Global Compact, which seeks to promote concrete actions for the planet’s regeneration.
“Children and adolescents are the agents of change for the future. That’s why environmental education is an essential part of our strategy,” concludes Soso. DH-SH’s proposal demonstrates that with a simple daily gesture, water can be cared for, clean energy can be generated, and a strong environmental culture can be fostered across the country.
In times of climate crisis, recycling oil is much more than a domestic practice: it is a way to actively contribute to a more sustainable future.
From the pan to innovation: what to do with used oil
Although it often ends up in the kitchen sink, used vegetable oil has multiple possible destinations that prevent pollution and add value. Far from being a simple waste, it can be transformed into input for various sustainable products and industrial processes.
Its best-known destination is its conversion into biodiesel, an alternative fuel that emits fewer polluting gases and is suitable for agricultural machinery, transportation, and power generation. But that’s not the only option. It is also used in the production of artisan soaps, eco-friendly candles, waxes, detergents, industrial lubricants, and even in the manufacturing of animal feed, once treated and purified according to specific standards.
Additionally, used oil can be a raw material for biofabrication projects, where it is transformed into biodegradable polymers and other compounds applicable in the chemical or cosmetic industry.
Recycling this waste prevents a single liter from contaminating up to a thousand liters of water and allows it to be inserted into a circular value chain that promotes employment, innovation, and environmental protection. The important thing is not to discard it down the drain, but to store it properly and take it to an authorized collection point, where it can have a second useful life.
