On 9th July Ramadan, the holiest month in the Muslim calendar, will be upon us again. Each year Muslims are encouraged to reflect on their time on earth and their impact upon it. Taking that into consideration, why not think about food waste and recycling this year, whether it be buying unpacked fruit and vegetables, planning meals in advance to minimise waste or recycling your used cooking oil.
While refraining from eating during the day, it is hard not to focus on what you are, or aren’t eating and how that food is prepared. Just think about samosas and pakoras, for example; how much cooking oil is needed to gain the perfect crispness for your Ramadan festivities?
While recycling waste cooking oil may not seem like the best way to minimise our impact on earth it actually helps the planet in a number of ways. For instance, avoiding tipping oil down the drains saves UK water companies an average £15 million each year, from clearing blockages caused by fats and oils building up to produce ‘fatbergs’ in sewers and pipe work. When sent to landfill, used cooking oil fares no better, often seeping into nearby rivers and streams and harming local wildlife.
However, by recycling your cooking oil at a local household waste recycling centre, not only will you be getting rid of a sticky, messy waste in the most responsible way possible but you will also be helping the UK to lower its carbon emissions as all oil is recycled into renewable electricity for the National Grid.
So this Ramadan, why not help to shed a little more light in your home, light that comes from a renewable source and is powered by your waste.
Photo copyright Sham Hardy