What Affects the Price of Used Cooking Oil?

Used cooking oil is one of the main raw materials for renewable fuel in the UK. Fuel suppliers have to supply a share of renewable fuel under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), and fuel made from waste like used cooking oil is a big part of it.

In 2024, 46% of all the renewable fuel verified under the RTFO was made from used cooking oil. It also made up 81% of the biodiesel.

Planes need it too. Since 2025, UK jet fuel has had to include sustainable aviation fuel (SAF): 2% in 2025, rising to 10% in 2030 and 22% in 2040. A fuel called HEFA, made from oils and fats such as used cooking oil, can meet all of that demand in 2025 and 2026, and up to 71% of it in 2030.

So road fuel and jet fuel makers both want it. That demand is what gives your oil its value.

This is the biggest factor, and nobody controls it.

Used cooking oil is bought and sold around the world. In 2024, only 7% of the renewable fuel supplied in the UK was made from UK raw materials. Used cooking oil from China alone made up 31% of the total.

So the price here follows world prices for fuel and for used cooking oil. When demand for renewable fuel is strong, rates tend to rise. When it's weak, they fall.

That's why we don't publish a price list. Our rates follow the market, and we confirm the current rate for your volume when we call.

Volume matters in two ways. You're paid for every litre we collect, so more oil means more money. And the rate itself can depend on your volume, which is why we confirm it for your volume when we call.

We give you free barrels from 60 to 120 litres, or we collect your oil in the drums it came in. We set a collection schedule that suits how much oil you use, so your barrels are ready when we arrive.

If your kitchen is seasonal, you can pause collections while you're closed and restart when you reopen.

Clean oil is worth more. Before used cooking oil can be made into fuel, water and food bits have to be taken out. The more there is to take out, the less the oil is worth.

Keep your oil clean:

• Let it cool, then sieve out batter, crumbs and food bits before it goes in the barrel.
• Keep the lid on so rain can't get in.
• Never add water, washing-up liquid or cleaning products.
• Keep food waste and general rubbish out. They go in their own bins.
• Never mix in engine, motor or gearbox oil. We only collect cooking oil and food fats.

We collect chicken fat and dripping too, so fried chicken shops and takeaways only need one collector.

Easy access makes every collection quicker. Keep your barrels somewhere our driver can reach safely, with a clear path and the lids on.

When you book, tell us anything that affects access, like where to park or the best time to call. Let us know if you'll be closed, so we can rearrange.

• Per litre, so you can check it yourself. Oil is lighter than water, so a litre of cooking oil weighs a bit less than a kilo. Always check which one a rate is quoted in.
• In cash, on every collection, there and then. No invoices to chase.
• Your waste transfer note is emailed after every collection, so your records stay up to date.
• We're registered with the Environment Agency as an Upper Tier Waste Carrier, Broker & Dealer, CBDU622700.

A higher number isn't always a better deal. Before you compare, ask:

• Is the rate per litre or per kilo?
• When are you paid: on the day, or weeks later?
• How is your oil measured and recorded?
• Is the collector registered with the Environment Agency?

• Sieve out food bits as you go.
• Keep the lids on and water out.
• Keep oil separate from all other waste.
• Keep your barrels easy to reach.
• Tell us roughly how much oil you use, so we can set the right schedule.