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The production of biodiesel is impacting vegetable oil prices in the global market. Used cooking oil may be the sustainable and economical solution we need.
The Impact of Biodiesel on Vegetable Oil Prices
The production of biofuel is directly linked to the increase in vegetable oil prices. In Brazil, soybean oil is the most used in biodiesel manufacturing, while in other countries palm oil and sunflower oil predominate. In March, the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) food price index recorded an 8% increase in vegetable oil prices compared to the previous month.
Advantages of Recycling Used Cooking Oil
Vitor Dalcin, director of Ambiental Santos, suggests that used cooking oil should be directed for biodiesel production. This practice would help remove from circulation oil that no longer has culinary value and would prevent newly produced oils from going to refineries, which makes the final product more expensive. According to Dalcin, since the components of biodiesel follow international raw material prices, including petroleum derivatives, the impact on prices is directly felt by consumers in supermarkets.
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Currently, only 1.2% of used oil is recycled for biodiesel production in Brazil. However, increasing this percentage could be a viable alternative to reduce raw material costs and minimize environmental damage caused by the improper disposal of used oil.
Economic and Ecological Benefits
Recycling used cooking oil brings several benefits. The industry would have access to a virtually inexhaustible source of oil that would be discarded, avoiding the need to buy new oil. This practice would benefit both the production chain and the environment, contributing to cost reduction and promoting more sustainable practices.
Vitor Dalcin emphasizes that the use of recycled oil can be a practical and ecological solution for biodiesel production. In addition to reducing vegetable oil prices in the market, this sustainable approach would help preserve the environment by preventing the improper disposal of used cooking oil.
By adopting more sustainable practices, such as recycling used cooking oil, we can tackle the challenge of high vegetable oil prices and contribute to a greener and more economical future. Investing in ecological solutions is essential to ensure the sustainability of biodiesel production and the preservation of the environment.
Source:
| Ambiental Santos |
