Case Study: Valencia, Spain

ECOBUS - Valencia, Spain

The Ecobús project aims to set up a collection and recycling system for used vegetable oils from both the food industry and citizens' homes, and convert these oils into ecodiesel for use in the municipal bus company fleet. The fuel used will consist of 70% diesel and 30% ecodiesel.

In the medium-term, the project also includes the construction of a processing plant where the oil will be cleaned, filtered and dried.

At first, used oil will be collected only from bars, hotels and restaurants, where large amounts of oil are used in the same place. Later on, used oil will also be collected in private homes around the city.

The co-operative entities will be identified with a sticker saying they are contributing to the responsible collection of used oils. They will be provided with containers which will be collected periodically (weekly or monthly).

The used oils will then be processed in a specialised plant through chemical treatment to produce biodiesel.

This project is being run within the framework of the "Valencia Innova" programme, which was set up by the Board of Institutional Relations of Valencia Council in 1999: a line of work encompassing the challenge of developing innovation projects in the area of urban management through the constant quest for new technological solutions.

The project is cofinanced by the European Union with funds allocated to the LIFE Environment Programme.