The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW has joined forces with Cleanaway’s Scanline to introduce a pioneering used cooking oil recycling initiative, offering critical funding for Vinnies’ community work.
The Vinnies Used Cooking Oil Recycling scheme, known as VUCOR, is the first independent model of its kind, open to all restaurants across New South Wales, the organisation said in a news release.
Under the VUCOR scheme, participating venues will continue to receive their usual rebates for waste oil collection, while Scanline contributes an additional charitable rebate to Vinnies for every litre of oil collected.
This rebate, which is deducted from Scanline’s operating profits, directly supports the charitable activities of St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.
The collected oil is then processed and recycled in NSW, eventually being transformed into renewable fuel and animal feed.
“We launched VUCOR in early 2024, and so far, the response from venues has been really great. We’ve found that many restaurant owners are interested in a cooking oil recycling scheme that also supports good causes in their community, especially at no cost to their venues,” said Phil Coyte, executive director of Commercial Enterprise, Retail, and Fundraising at St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.
Notable early adopters of the scheme include prominent names in Sydney’s hospitality industry, such as Mary’s, King Clarence of Bentley Group, Club Five Dock RSL, Toppi, and Pilu.
Aiden Stevens, group executive chef of Bentley Group, emphasised the ease and value of the partnership when the group opened a new venue.
“For us, it was an easy decision to go with Vinnies’ recycling scheme when we opened King Clarence. It’s such a simple way to support their good work. The service has been great, and everything’s run smoothly right from day one,” Stevens shared.
VUCOR ensures reliable and professional service, providing all necessary equipment and tanks to venues at no cost.
The funds raised through the VUCOR charitable rebate are reinvested into the community, supporting a range of programs and services run by St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.
“We’re proud to be a long-standing supporter of Vinnies and always try to help in any way we can,” said Paola Toppi, owner of the upmarket Italian diner Toppi in Martin Place.
“It’s great to be able to make such a simple small change to our used oil collections and know that it helps to support their work in the community.”
Ryan Knights, National Development Manager at Scanline, expressed the company’s enthusiasm about the collaboration.
“Vinnies are able to bring us new customers who are motivated by their desire to support Vinnies’ work in the community. We are happy to work with such a proactive and innovative organisation. It really is a positive scheme for everyone—the venue, us, the environment, and most of all the people whose Vinnies’ work helps,” Knights said.
