As a lead-up to the 5th Annual St. Patrick's Day Sustainability Conference, the IPBN would like to take a moment to better get to know one of the event sponsors, Aluline. While the company currently has offices in Balbriggan and Achill Island on the west coast of Ireland, where the owner is originally from, their are setting their sights on Portugal. Director and Head of Commercial Projects, Caroline Clark, tells the IPBN "Aluline has seen a unique opportunity to expand its operations in mainland Europe and the people of Portugal are so friendly and caring for the environment, [that] this seemed the ideal location to expand."

Hence, Aluline has since opened offices in Seixal. And now, in their first interview with the IPBN, the company explains its services and further, what it can do for Portugal with its anaerobic digestors, Aluzyme bacterial liquid, stainless steel grease traps, and more.

"Aluline was originally set up to protect the lakes and rivers from pollution that was caused by leaking oil into the Environment. We found in one location a small café had leaked enough oil into a lake to kill all the fish and prevent wildlife from using the lask as a resource. Just one liter of cooking oil has been known to cover a full reservoir and stop the flow of oxygen, thereby killing wildlife. It is one of the most dangerous pollutants as now, everyone uses cooking oil and, during its disposal, it covers the pipes and makes serious blockages known as Fatbergs." Caroline explains.

All organic matter is broken down by either anaerobic or aerobic bacteria, and this applies to both landfills and sewage systems. Anaerobic digestors are now taking food waste and reducing the bulk turning organic waste into a usable gas. "The difference," Caroline says, "is that one turns organics into an acid and gas that are bad for the environment! The other turns organics into CO2 and water, which are less harmful to our environment. By using Aluzyme we are introducing aerobic bacteria which in sewers will reduce matter in a quicker and less harmful way."

If that isn't enough reason to use Aluzyme Bacterial liquid in drains, there's more. Carbon credits can also be gained from this practice.

Furthermore, stainless steel grease traps are helpful in that they are designed to stop waste, organics, oil, and grease from entering sewage pipe systems and reducing blockages and Fatbergs. It also reduces the impact on Sewage Treatment Plants. These traps were designed to treat human waste but are now overloaded by food oil, and grease (FOG), as well as all chemicals used in washing clothes, dishes, hair, and skin oils. 

As commercial kitchens are required to have clean hygienic surfaces where bad bacteria can not exist,these grease traps are made of stainless steel to be compliant with kitchen regulations.

When was the last time you checked your drain? Do you know where it goes and what the potential for harm is to your residence, business, and the environment? Maybe it's time to better understand just what your used cooking oil is doing, where it's going, and what you could get back from it.