Food oil waste is a common problem around the world. Fats, oils, and grease are disposed into drains, forming blockages which lead to flooding and pollution. Furthermore, the problem of illicit cooking oil, which are recycled from waste oil, has led to the rise of public concern over food safety.

In Hong Kong, grease traps generate about 175,000 tonnes of waste per year. Over 20,000 restaurants and food processing facilities use grease traps to prevent wastewater containing grease from blocking the drains. The low quality oil in grease trap waste is not usually collected due to the high costs of transporting and processing. Used cooking oil is also not collected and disposed at landfills.

Our Solution

Teng Hoi is currently trialling a waste oil recycling initiative with the help of ISF Academy. Recognizing waste oil – found in grease trap waste and used cooking oil – as a potential resource, we aim to recycle waste oil  into biodiesel, a clean transport fuel. By installing oil eliminating technology from InnaWater, wastewater that enters the drain can be separated into clean high quality oil and water. The collected oil can then be sent to ASB Biodiesel to be transformed into biodiesel.

Estimated to generate HK$68 million and HK$78 million from recycling grease trap waste and used cooking oil, this method would also reduce carbon emissions because less fossil fuel is needed to be used for energy. In addition, we aim to involve Parents Power employees in the collection and transportation process to provide another job opportunity.

How It Works

Inna Water oil eliminator is installed inside the kitchen to replace the traditional grease trap.

Oily water flows through the oil eliminator, separating oil and water.

Clean oil is stored and collected.

Clean oil is delivered to biodiesel company.

Inspired by the “Cardboard to Caviar” scheme by Graham Wiles, Teng Hoi is working to transform a huge problem of waste into a massive opportunity. Currently on trial, our cardboard recycling project involves shredding cardboard waste to be used as horse bedding material at Hong Kong Jockey Club. Instead of disposing horse bedding waste, we turn them into compost, which is then supplied to our partner organic farm to generate fresh healthy produce. We believe in the significance of altering a linear process into a closed-loop model.

With an ongoing collaboration with Hong Kong Jockey Club, the ISF Academy has completed a 14-day trial for composting horse manure and will be undergoing a comparative study with Beas River Country Club.

The Process

Cardboard collection  Shredding Horse bedding Composting Organic farm

1. Cardboard is collected from reliable sources, such as restaurants and schools.
2. Cardboard is shredded into pieces and packed as horse bedding. The shredding process will happen at Parents Power, where workers help shred the cardboard into a smaller size suitable for horse bedding.
3. In cooperation with Hong Kong Jockey Club, we provide shredded cardboard for use in horse bedding, a cost-effective, eco-friendly alternative that is proven to be safe for horses. The bedding and horse manure is then collected after use, reducing bedding disposal.
4. Used cardboard, together with horse manure, are collected and turned into compost.
5. Compost is used in organic farm and produce is supplied to catering operations.