Used Cooking Oil Now Accepted at Portsmouth Transfer Station

To better serve Portsmouth residents, Portsmouth will collect used cooking oil at the Transfer Station year-round.

“The Town of Portsmouth is excited to offer this new recycling opportunity at the Transfer Station,” said Sanne Kure-Jensen, the Town of Portsmouth’s Recycling Coordinator. “It will decrease the amount of waste sent to the RI Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) Central Landfill and prevent oils from clogging pipes.”

Bring used vegetable cooking oil in any container and pour it into the blue collection bin marked “Newport Biodiesel” next to the motor oil igloo. Empty containers can be recycled in the mixed recycling container at the transfer station.

Used motor oil and cooking oil should be emptied in to their appropriate containers, and never be mixed.

Waste vegetable oil will be converted to a clean-burning fuel by Newport Biodiesel™. This fuel can power any diesel engine or home heating furnace. Biodiesel is biodegradable, nontoxic and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics. Biodiesel is ecologically the best and highest use of waste vegetable oil.

Chris Benzak of Newport Biodiesel™ said, “We are committed to our sustainable model to protect the environment, reduce our carbon footprint and convert a locally generated waste product into a superior alternative fuel for use in New England.” Newport Biodiesel™ is the proud recipient of Save the Bay’s Environmental Achievement Award.

Newport Biodiesel™ operates at 312 Connell Highway, Newport, Rhode Island. Learn more about Newport Biodiesel™ at www.newportbiodiesel.com or contact Christopher Benzak via email to chris@newportbiodiesel.com or call 401.846.1117 extension 2.

The Town Administrator, Richard Rainer, and Portsmouth’s Solid Waste/Recycling Committee support waste diversion, recycling and composting initiatives. Formed in 2008, Portsmouth’s Solid Waste/Recycling Committee is a group of professionals, consumers, gardeners and environmentalists working to increase the Town’s recycling rate and to promote responsible waste handling, recycling and composting. The Committee reviews Portsmouth’s solid waste disposal and recycling programs and makes recommendations to the Town Council.

The Committee fosters a better understanding of product disposal and packaging material, working towards a Zero Waste goal. The Committee has sponsored recycling equipment and education at Portsmouth High School. David Kehew, Director of Public Works, and Committee volunteers coordinate specialized waste disposal days like the biennial Eco Depot and hard plastic collection at Portsmouth High School.

For more information on recycling in Portsmouth, see www.portsmouthri.com/181/Portsmouth-Recycles, call (401) 643-0359 or email SKureJensen@PortsmouthRI.com.