Creative Commons

The study deals with the Used Cooking Oil collection industry that lies at the intersection of two very promising sectors of the economy, the biofuels/biodiesel industry and the waste management industry. These sectors are heavily influenced by the guidelines and the incentives provided by the regulatory framework. For this reason an extended review of the existing regulatory framework is included in the study. The study also analyses the industry practices and methods applied in Used Cooking Oil collection and attempts to identify any business opportunities in market segments that are still underdeveloped. Such is the household segment, where the collection efficiency in both the European Union and Greece remains low. Building on the experience of previously implemented pilot programs and business initiatives, the study attempts to provide a business plan for a Greek company involved in the Used Cooking Oil collection industry, targeting at the household segment in the region of Attica. The suggested approach is the establishment of Used Cooking Oil collection points at the existing network of gas stations in the region of Attica. It appears that in order the suggested business initiative to be successful a wide consensus is required by a substantial number of oil companies.