In support of its commitment to, and passion for environmental sustainability, Pick n Pay (PnP) Namibia – a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group – appointed and signed a contract with BEE (Be Energy Efficient) Biofuel Manufacturing to safely dispose of all its used cooking oil (UCO).
“Reusing cooking oil is common practice, but it can pose some serious health hazards. In addition to having strange flavors and odors, reused, rancid oil contains cancer-causing properties to both humans and animals. Reused cooking oil has been associated with an increased risk of stroke, atherosclerosis, elevated levels of LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol), Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and various liver diseases. It is therefore ill-advised to sell or supply used cooking oil for further consumption. Other practices include using UCO to add to animal feedstock, which carry the same risks,” – Managing Director of BEE Biofuel Manufacturing, Bruce Salt.
Furthermore, according to Salt, BEE uses all UCO in the production of non-food products, i.e. biodiesel, soaps, compost, etc. In accordance with environmental regulations – with a valid certificate of Safe Disposal -, BEE Biofuel offers the safe disposal of UCO. PnP Namibia in turn purchases the manufactured biodiesel from BEE for use in its diesel ovens, to bake bread. Manager: Projects and Maintenance, PnP Namibia, Jost Pfafferott: “We started testing the product (biodiesel by BEE) in one of our stores on 30 September 2019, and after one month of successful testing, we started with rollout to other stores, followed by the first delivery of Biodiesel oil to PnP early November in Okahandja. The rest of the stores with diesel ovens (Keetmanshoop, Katima Mulilo, Olunkono, Oshikango, Oshakati and Outapi) will start ordering biodiesel, once the logistics have been finalized.”
PnP Namibia Marketing Manager, Victoria Moller: PnP Namibia is very passionate about, and committed to environmental sustainability, and this initiative speaks directly to the O&L purpose of ‘Creating a future, Enhancing Life’. Through the safe disposal of UCO from our store-kitchens and turning it into something useful, we hope to in turn contribute to a safer and healthier environment, while at the same time supporting BEE – a proudly Namibian establishment, passionate about environmental sustainability.”
According to Salt, upcycling raw material, such as waste vegetable oil and waste animal oil and transforming it into renewable second generation biofuel, decreases the dependence on foreign fossil fuels. Salt: “This means we can bring innovative technologies and an unlimited supply of energy sources without damaging and polluting the environment. Product testing and development led to viable applications for the market that meets the needs of environmentally conscious clients who want to be ahead of global trends without sacrificing profit margins,” Salt concluded.
