Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions has successfully recycled 1 billion pounds of used cooking oil into biodiesel fuel, catering to commercial kitchens in restaurants, hospitals, hotels, universities, casinos, business facilities, entertainment venues, and stadiums, according to John Michals, the company’s chief operating officer.
“Our mission has been consistent since day one: to extend the life of cooking oil through microfiltration and professional fryer cleaning. This approach not only reduces waste but also lowers food costs and enhances sustainability,” Michals stated in a company press release. “Reaching the 1-billion-pound milestone is a testament to the dedication of our franchise owners and the exceptional service they provide to our clients.”
Michals emphasized the importance of well-prepared teams in delivering effective services. “Whether we’re filtering oil onsite, cleaning fryers, or collecting waste oil for disposal, our franchise owners excel in providing safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly services,” he added. “The environmental impact of Filta’s operations is significant. By minimizing the need for new oil and converting used oil into biodiesel, we help reduce the overall carbon footprint of our clients.”
Filta’s service model boosts the efficiency of commercial kitchens by micro-filtering cooking oil, deep cleaning fryers, and offering a bin-free waste oil collection system that recycles waste into biodiesel. Over the past two years, every gallon of biodiesel produced has prevented 16 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere, resulting in a total carbon dioxide offset equivalent to planting 135 million trees.
The company’s efforts have led to considerable environmental savings, including:
- Land: 1,904,761 acres saved
- Water: 1,344,670 gallons saved
- Pesticides: 2,144,765 pounds reduced
- Fertilizer: 80 million pounds reduced
- Diesel: 7,619,047 gallons saved
- Gasoline: 2,400,000 gallons saved
- Electricity: 12,609,523 kWh saved
- Natural Gas: 111,257,142 cubic feet saved
These initiatives have collectively offset the equivalent of 640 million pounds of carbon emissions from fuel.
Additionally, Filta’s operations have led to substantial packaging and transport savings, including over 34 million pounds of plastic and more than 22 million pounds of cardboard. By decreasing reliance on new oil and championing the recycling of used cooking oil, Filta further minimizes its clients’ carbon footprints, resulting in a reduction of nearly 4 million pounds of greenhouse gases and savings of 57 million pounds in packaging materials.
“For every gallon of biodiesel we produce, we lessen our dependence on petroleum-based products,” Michals remarked. “This is a crucial step toward a more sustainable future. While we’ve been on this journey for over 20 years, we believe we are just getting started.”
