Oil recycling scheme launches in East Preston

Southern Water, Biffa and The Body Shop are supporting Work this Way, based at Ford Prison, with its drive to recycle oil into carbon-reduced fuel for local charities and businesses.

The Oil Works Project will be piloted in East Preston.

People are being asked to save their used oil in an old bottle and put it next to the recycling bins, for collection by a supervised team of trainees. The service starts on Monday.

Work this Way aims to provide training and employment to offenders before they leave prison.

Chief executive, Clare Cherry, said: “The aim is to reduce the volume of waste oil dumping while, at the same time, offering offenders meaningful experience.”

If successful, the scheme will be rolled out across the Southern Water area. Andy Sparsis, managing director of the Fish Factory restaurants in Littlehampton and Worthing, has already signed up for the scheme and donated hundreds of litres of used cooking oil.

He said: “We already recycle our used oils, and we are proud to be involved in helping to launch a project that will not only benefit the environment but will help to produce a new source of fuel.”