However, the project can only come to fruition once it has been approved by the regional development commission, CCDR, to obtain funding through the national strategy board, QREN.

João Santos, president of Almargem, told The Resident: “The application was already presented to the QREN, and further details are now under preparation. We expect to start the implementation of the project before the end of 2008 but it all depends now on the approval procedures for the financial aspects”.

Usually, oils from domestic and industrial sources end up in the water treatment system after being flushed or poured down drains, or in dumps along with other rubbish, or even in rivers and seas.

Almargem plans to locate the oil drop-off points at recycling bins, which is more convenient for many people and this would maximise the amount that would be collected.

Advantages

As well as being more environmentally friendly, the alternative fuel presents many economic advantages. One litre of biodiesel would cost around half a euro, which is half the price of petrol, priced at around 1.10 euros per litre.

Initially the fuel will be used by public entities and only afterwards will be available to the general public.

The University of the Algarve, in Faro, has offered to analyse and control production of biodiesel and estimates are that around 2,400 tonnes of oil will be converted per year, but this could increase as more people take part and leave their oil at drop-off locations.

Biodiesel could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 75 per cent, carbon monoxide is reduced by 50 per cent and sulphur emissions are reduced by 100 per cent.

Almargem referred to a case study, where this system has worked in the UK. All used oil from fast food chain, McDonald’s, is converted into biodiesel and used in the company’s transport vehicles. Biodiesel could potentially be sold in all petrol stations in the Algarve.

source: The Portugal Resident