A NEW service has been launched to allow Borderers to recycle their leftover cooking oil.

Scottish Borders Council has introduced new yellow bins at all seven of its community recycling centres.

It will see the oil cleaned, filtered and processed into biofuel, for use in vehicles or for power and energy generation.

Councillor Gordon Edgar, SBC’s executive member for roads and infrastructure, said: “This is a simple but worthwhile new service which gives the public an opportunity to get rid of household cooking oils in a more environmentally friendly manner.

“It will prevent oils getting into the water system, which can cause blockages and even pollution into rivers, burns, streams and beaches.”

Any household cooking oil is accepted. And anyone wishing to use the new service is asked to collect their waste in an old sealed container which is not made of glass and dispose of it in the new bins.

The move has been backed by Scottish Water, which last year launched a campaign to encourage the public not to pour grease down the sink.

Scott Fraser, from the company, said: “We are delighted to support this campaign which will encourage people across the Borders to recycle their leftover cooking oils.

“Fats, oil and grease in liquid form may not appear to be harmful but as it cools it congeals and hardens. This can then cause blockages to drains and sewer pipes, which can lead to sewer flooding in gardens and properties. In extreme cases, blocked sewers can spill into burns, rivers, coastal waters and beaches, causing environmental damage.

“Every year we respond to around 35,000 blocked sewers, most of which could be avoided if we all remember to avoid pouring fats oils and grease down the sink and only flush the three P’s – pee, poo and toilet paper.”