Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) Initiative: Need & Features | UPSC Notes

Repurpose used cooking oil is a groundbreaking initiative that transforms a common household waste into a valuable resource. The process of repurposing used cooking oil deals with numerous problems associated with waste management and promotes conservation of the environment together with the production of renewable energy. Conversion of used cooking oil to biodiesel lowers carbon emissions and makes less dependence on fossil fuels, hence making for a cleaner planet. Used cooking oil is devastating to the environment and causes water pollution if not disposed of properly. If it is reused, it proves hazardous to health as well. Hence, it is sought that the repurposing used cooking oil be structured by this initiative known as RUCO, which stands for Repurpose Used Cooking Oil.

Repurpose used cooking oil UPSC forms an integral part of the General Studies Paper III of the UPSC examination. This paper encompasses crucial issues related to the environment, biodiversity, and climate change. It also ties into sustainable development, waste management policies, and technology in environmental conservation. Additionally, one often finds this subject being covered in the Essay section where candidates would delve into sustainable practices and innovative environmental solutions.

About the Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) Scheme

The RUCO program launched by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India initially talks about the proper transformation of used cooking oil into biodiesel. Launched in August 2018, the scheme ensures effective collection and safe disposal of used cooking oil to stop its reuse and possible environmental damage. Through RUCO, a coordinated system for the collection, conversion, and utilization of used cooking oil in an eco-friendly manner is envisioned.

Background of the Repurpose Used Cooking Oil Initiative

The RUCO initiative emerged from the concerns with the reuse and improper disposal of UCO, which posed to be an environmental as well as public health problem. The used cooking oil, if reused a number of times with repeated heating, poses health risks because it is a carcinogen as it forms harmful compounds such as acrylamide. Additionally, dumping UCO in the drains leads to water pollution and clogs the sewage system. In this regard, the FSSAI formed the RUCO scheme as a part of an all-inclusive policy for regulating used cooking oil collection and its conversion into biodiesel. This move falls under the National Policy on Biofuels 2018, which boldly calls for enhancing the production and utilization of biofuels as a clean fuel.

Need for the Regulation of Used Cooking Oil

There are quite a few compelling reasons for regulating used cooking oil :

• Health Hazards: The repeated heating of cooking oil creates harmful substances such as trans fats, free radicals, and acrylamide, a suspected carcinogen.
• Environmental Pollution: The disposal of UCO also gives rise to severe environmental issues due to pollution of water resources and poisoning the soil.
• Resource Recovery: UCO is a valuable resource that was converted into biodiesel. This may be an additional cleaner fossil fuel as well as enhance energy security.

Read the article on World Biofuel Day!

Key Features of the Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) Scheme

Some of the top features of the RUCO scheme are as follows;

• UCO Collection System: The scheme establishes a robust system for collecting UCO from food business operators which include restaurants, hotels and canteens. Scheduled collection agencies coordinate the safe collection of UCO.
• Conversion to Biodiesel: Such a scheme would encourage the use of technology-sound conversion units for UCO to biodiesel within environmentally sound regulatory parameters.
• Joint Venture: The RUCO scheme would thus ensure effortless collection and conversion through coordination between the biodiesel producers, municipal authorities, and licensed collection agencies.
• Awareness Programmes: The scheme comprises creating a sense of awareness programmes among FBOs and public regarding the dangers of recycled cooking oil and advantages of conversion of the same into biodiesel.
• Regulatory Compliance and Monitoring: FSSAI monitors the compliance with norms regarding disposal and processing of UCO, ensuring it is not used again in the black market but is safely converted into biodiesel.

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Significance of the Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) Scheme

Its multiple benefits can lead towards understanding the advantages of the RUCO scheme.

• Environmental protection: This scheme prevents UCO misplacement and misuse so that water bodies are conserved from pollution and soil is prevented from degradation.
• Public health safety: The scheme keeps health hazards at bay regarding the consumption of reused cooking oil as UCO should not be recycled for cooking purposes.
• Resource Utilization and Energy Security: Trans-esterification of UCO into biodiesel facilitates the optimum use of a waste while increasing renewable and clean energy resources instead of reliance on the non-renewable fossil fuel resources.
• Economic Growth: The process of biodiesel from UCO fuels the biofuel sector economy where there is a creation of work or technological change.

Read the article on the International Biofuel Alliance!

Concerns Associated with the Consumption of Used Cooking Oil (UCO)

In many ways, reworked oil contains several unhealthy substances formed inside it:

• Formation of Toxic Compounds: The reworking of cooking oil forms some toxic compounds inclusive of hydroperoxides, and aldehydes, that are carcinoma-producing and result in many other diseases such as heart diseases.
• Degradation through Oxidation: Prolonged usage leads to the oil undergoing oxidative degradation resulting in free radicals that cause damage in the body cells and tissues.
• Nutrient Loss: The repeated heating process reduces the availability of nutrients in the oil, which makes it drained of nutrients and also unsafe for eating.

Read the article on Environmental Policy!

Other Government Initiatives to Boost the Production of Biofuels

Apart from the RUCO program, the Government of India has accepted various measures that encourage a higher production level of biofuels:

• National Policy on Biofuels 2018: This policy encourages the production of biofuels from various feedstocks like used cooking oil to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy security.
• Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana: The program supports second-generation bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass and other renewable feedstocks.
• Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP): The EBP requires blending ethanol into petrol to increase fuel efficiency and reduce dependence on imported crude oil.

Read the article on Environment Conventions & Protocols!

Conclusion

Repurposing used cooking oil is an important activity for sustainable waste management, saving energy, and preventing the environment from further degradation. Understanding and supporting initiatives like RUCO, with the collective contribution to a greener, healthier future is made possible. In this synthesis, the reinforcement of waste-to-resource strategies not only leads to major public health impacts, as well as economic progress, but also puts the sustainability of energy in question.

We hope your doubts regarding the topic have been addressed after going through the above article. Testbook offers good quality preparation material for different competitive examinations. Succeed in your UPSC IAS exam preparations by downloading the Testbook App here!