PwC signs landmark used cooking oil deal

The company, known as PwC, claims it is the largest ever office supply deal for recycled oils to be agreed, with used cooking oils set to be drawn from bars, restaurants and businesses across London.

Two 6,000 litre tankers each week will be filled by Lancashire-based firm Arrow Oils from collections at offices and businesses in the capital. The oil will then be refined by Uptown Biodiesel at its site in Southwark, central London.

Once refined, the oil will be delivered to PwCs state-of-the-art new headquarters on Londons South Bank where it will be used to fire two large generators. It is anticipated that the used cooking oil will be used to generate 25% of the electricity needed by the building, as well as 20% of its heat.

Jon Barnes, head of building and facilities services at PwC, said: When you think of green technologies you dont think of used oil from a kitchen but the reality is these technologies offered us a real low carbon alternative to traditional fuel.

It was an ambitious plan, when you realise a small restaurant might use 10 to 20 litres a week, and you see the scale of the deal were talking about, for just one site, he added.

Footprint

PwC said that guaranteeing London-based businesses as a supply source was critical to the deal being brokered as it said material sourced from outside the capital would increase the carbon footprint of the oil.

Mr Barnes said: Securing the supply within the M25 was essential, as otherwise the carbon footprint for moving the oil increases and would have defeated the purpose of investing in the low carbon technology.

PwC worked with catering supplier Aramark to engage businesses to join the scheme. Companies to have signed up to the arrangement include pub group Fullers, restaurant chain Zizis and city wine bar Corney and Barrow.

In total, PwC intends to meet 50% of its energy demands from low carbon energy technologies, with solar panels and chiller heat recovery systems being among the technology used.

Over the coming months, the company will move nearly 6,000 employees to the new South Bank premises at 7 More London in London Bridge. The office is said to be the first to achieve BREEAM Outstanding rating for environmental performance and design.