How Used Cooking Oil Recycling Supports Your Restaurant’s Sustainability Goals

Tyler Zemantic
Sep 3
3 min read

In today’s foodservice industry, sustainability is no longer a trend — it’s an expectation. Whether you're seeking LEED certification, improving your ESG reporting, or simply building a greener brand, every choice your kitchen makes matters.

One of the most overlooked opportunities for environmental impact? Used cooking oil (UCO) recycling.

By partnering with a certified oil collection provider like Phibro RenewOil, your commercial kitchen can directly contribute to global sustainability goals — while enhancing your eligibility for environmental certifications and clean business credentials.

inside a fairfield county connecticut restaurant kitchen, with employees cooking

Why UCO Recycling Matters in Sustainability Reporting

Used cooking oil may seem like a waste product, but it’s actually a valuable input in the circular economy. When collected and processed responsibly, it’s transformed into renewable diesel, biodiesel, and other low-emission industrial products — significantly reducing the environmental footprint of your kitchen.

Recycling UCO supports sustainability across multiple reporting dimensions:

Waste Diversion – Keeps oil out of landfills and sewers
Emissions Reduction – Supports production of low-carbon fuels
Regulatory Compliance – Aligns with local FOG ordinances and ISO 14001 goals
Supply Chain Traceability – Helps meet vendor sustainability requirements

This impact can be tracked, reported, and included in environmental certifications or corporate sustainability reports.

Certifications That Can Benefit from UCO Recycling:

LEED Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

US green building council logos ranging from certified to platnum

Restaurants and buildings pursuing LEED points can claim credit for waste diversion and sustainable materials management. Working with a certified UCO recycler like Phibro RenewOil strengthens your case by:

Providing documentation of waste stream diversion
Supporting low-carbon fuel production (renewable energy contribution)
Contributing to Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) by reducing spills and odors

Green Restaurant Certification (GRA)

The Green Restaurant Association evaluates waste reduction, recycling, and environmental purchasing. UCO recycling contributes points toward:

Waste reduction (by diverting grease from the trash or drains)
Pollution reduction (through responsible oil storage and collection)
Supporting sustainable biodiesel production

ESG & CSR Reporting

If you're part of a franchise, chain, or group that issues Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reports, UCO recycling is an easy win:

Counts as a Scope 3 carbon reduction activity
Enhances supply chain sustainability
Demonstrates local environmental stewardship

What Documentation Can You Include?

Phibro RenewOil supports your sustainability reporting efforts with:

Pickup logs (frequency, volume, and date-stamped)
Service agreements
Proof of end-use (e.g., confirmation that oil is recycled into renewable fuel)
ISCC EU Certification (for traceability and compliance under RED III)

Phibro RenewOil is proudly ISCC EU Certified, which means our process meets the strictest international standards for sustainability and carbon reduction.

How to Highlight UCO Recycling in Your Marketing

Beyond certifications, responsible oil recycling gives your business a compelling story to tell. Here’s how you can make the most of it:

Add a “Sustainability” page to your website
Mention your oil recycling practices on menus or signage
Include UCO diversion stats in year-end reports
Share photos of clean storage setups or pickups on social media
Feature your partnership with a certified recycler like Phibro RenewOil

Consumers want to support eco-conscious businesses — and kitchens that show measurable environmental action stand out in a crowded market.

Ready to Enhance Your Sustainability Strategy?

Whether you’re aiming for certification, strengthening your ESG story, or simply trying to reduce waste, recycling your used cooking oil is a powerful step. Phibro RenewOil provides the tools, service, and documentation to help your kitchen do more — with less environmental impact.