New recycling facilities for plasterboard and cooking oil in Potters Bar

UNWANTED plasterboard and used cooking oil can now be recycled in Potters Bar.

Herts County Council has signed a contract with waste management firm The Countrystyle Group to stop the county's plasterboard going to landfill.

The authority has also enlisted the help of renewable energy company Living Fuels to reclaim used cooking oil.

The Countrystyle Group will collect unwanted plasterboard from the household recycling centre in Cranborne Road, before using it to make gypsum powder and reclaimed paper.

Meanwhile, Living Fuels has installed a tank at the same facility, which is capable of holding 1,000 litres of cooking oil.

When full, the tank will be emptied and the oil converted into a new green fuel called LF100, which can be used to run vehicles and power electricity generators.

Rob Murphy, operations director of Living Fuels, said discarding cooking oil down the kitchen sink costs water companies "literally millions" to clear the ensuing blockages.

He added: "Every time another collection service is launched, it's an opportunity to get over the message that used cooking oil causes major environmental damage when poured down the sink."

Councillor Derrick Ashley, executive member for planning, external relations and waste, said: "We hope residents will take advantage of these facilities, which will help to reduce environmental damage as well as generate energy."

For more information go to www.wasteaware.org.uk