Panaji: It will now be mandatory for hotels, restaurants, and industries to provide their used cooking oils for its conversion into biofuel through the Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA). An agency has already been authorised by state to carry out collection of the used cooking oil.A digital platform has been created by the GEDA, and it will now be mandatory for the hotels, restaurants, and industries to register on this platform to be able to obtain consent from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB).The idea is to prevent disposal of this cooking oil into the drains, creating an environmental problem. The GEDA plans aggregation of used cooking oil and its conversion to biodiesel for use in public transport so it would help state to achieve sustainability and circular economy goals.In May, this year, for the first time, state govt drafted a policy to set up a unit to convert used cooking oil into biodiesel, reducing Goa’s dependence on imported fuel.Over the last four-and-a-half years, Goa generated 9 lakh kg of used cooking oil, which was exported to Australia for conversion into biodiesel.The board has allowed registration for collection of used cooking oil under WHITE Category industry, as per Central Pollution Control Board categorisation. Muenzer Bharat Pvt Ltd has been authorised to carry out the collection.“The GEDA has developed a digital marketplace to enable biomass aggregation, processing, sale, collection of used cooking oil and biofuels production and Biofuel Circle is now the authorised partner of the GEDA for the collection and sale or used cooking oil (UCO) via digital platform. Members approved to include a condition in the consent that the used cooking oil generated by establishments shall be disposed/sold through the portal developed by GEDA,” the board said at its recent meeting.Used cooking oil, which is also known as waste cooking oil or used vegetable oil, needs proper management to prevent environmental harm.The board noted that the GEDA wants to create a transparent, traceable, and efficient ecosystem for the conversion of used cooking oil into biodiesel. “By leveraging Biofuel Circle’s digital marketplace, it is aimed to streamline the aggregation process, ensure fair pricing for food business operators, and maintain strict compliance with environmental standards which include to limiting Total Polar Compounds (TPC) to be under 25% avoiding drain disposal,” GEDA told the board.All transactions and collections must be recorded on the Biofuel Circle platform now to ensure end-to-end tracking of used cooking oils. Biofuel Circle is authorised now to onboard and facilitate the interaction between used cooking oil generators, aggregators, and manufacturers.The agency will ensure that all collection activities align with the guidelines set forth by the GEDA and relevant environmental authorities.Therefore it was found vital to include condition in consent for hotels, restaurants and industries that the used cooking oil generated by them will be disposed and sold through the portal developed by the GEDA.
