United Biscuits, an international manufacturer of biscuits and cakes, is pioneering a sustainability initiative through the use of waste cooking oil to power its fleet of trucks.

Part of the company’s “Fewer and Friendlier Miles” campaign, the project estimates there could be up to 97 percent savings in CO₂ emissions compared to traditional diesel fuel.

According to the company, since the campaign began in 2006, more than 20 million truck miles have been removed from roads in the United Kingdom.

United Biscuits takes the waste vegetable oil, a by-product from its manufacturing, and processes it into Ultra Biofuel. Each year the fleet of trucks is set to recycle 500 tons of cooking oil.

“The benefits of recycling waste cooking oil from our food factories into Ultra Biofuel is another step along United Biscuits’ green journey, which has already seen us make significant gains in reducing carbon emissions across our logistics business,” said Rob Wright, head of distribution for United Biscuits. “It is estimated the UK generates 250 million liters of waste oils a year, and we are delighted to be able to demonstrate a sustainable use for this waste material with potential to deliver significant CO₂ savings from transport within the UK.”

The company is satisfied with the results of the project and says it plans to roll out the initiative across the business to incorporate more vehicles.