Plenus Co., a franchisor of takeout-lunch shops and fast-food restaurants, has established a used cooking oil recycling system in cooperation with Freightliner Service Co., a delivery company, and will be launching full-scale operations in southern Japan (Yamaguchi Prefecture and prefectures in Kyushu) in January 2007, according to an announcement on September 5, 2006.

Under this system, the company will collect used cooking oil from its franchisees, and recycle it into biodiesel fuel (BDF) at its own facility, named "Plenus Eco Station." The BDF is to be used for the company's delivery vehicles.

This system provides a means to recycle used cooking oil, which is usually disposed of as waste. Used cooking oil from different franchisees is similar in quality; thus it is possible to produce a constant amount of BDF of uniform quality. Since carbon dioxide emissions from BDF are considered to be zero (carbon neutral), the use of BDF contributes to curbing global warming. Furthermore, recycling of used cooking oil as an alternative fuel can reduce the consumption of limited global resources, as well as help the company cope with an increase in distribution costs due to rising crude oil prices.

Aiming to introduce the same system to its franchise operation in eastern Japan by the end of 2007, the company plans to build another BDF production facility in its distribution center in Saitama Prefecture.

http://www.plenus.co.jp/english/index.html

Posted: 2006/12/25 06:46:33 AM
Japanese version

TAG Energy , Material reduction , Non-manufacturing industry