GreenVET pathway

Turning Used Cooking Oil into Biodiesel: A School-Based Circular Economy Initiative

Tiganokinisi (Greek for "pan movement") collects used cooking oil to turn into biodiesel, funding green school projects while teaching students, teachers, and the community about circular economy, sustainability, and shared responsibility.

Key People and Partners Involved

Students
Teachers
Community

Description of the practice

It focuses on collecting used cooking oil (UCO) and converting it to biodiesel, engaging students, teachers, and the community, with the aim of funding environmental education activities and green infrastructure in schools. Tiganokinisi addresses the challenges of UCO by promoting circular economy values, creating a model that blends income, innovation, and learning.

Students bring UCO from home, AKTI handles the collection, and the money from selling the oil goes back to the school for eco-friendly improvements. This raises awareness among students, teachers, parents, and the wider community, enhances the school’s environmental profile, and fosters stronger school-community ties.

It begins on a small scale, using early successes to motivate the whole school, highlights visible results by showing how funds are reinvested, empowers students as eco-ambassadors who lead awareness efforts, and builds partnerships with local NGOs and municipalities to ensure smooth implementation and broader impact.

Where it’s being implemented

This link might not lead to content in English language. Use your browser's translate function or automatic captions to explore this resource.

Tiganokinisi is an innovative environmental education program in Cyprus that collects used cooking oil from schools, converts it into biodiesel, and reinvests the funds into green projects. It teaches students sustainable habits through experiments, partnerships, and hands-on activities, building a culture of eco-awareness and action.
https://www.tiganokinisi.eu/i-tiganokinisi-se-charti/

Impact and Results

Awareness-raising of students, teachers, parents and the wider society
Improving the environmental character of the school unit
Collaboration between the schools and the community

Implementation Tips and Insights

Start small, but communicate big: Begin with one or two motivated classes and use their success to inspire the rest of the school.
Celebrate visible impact: Show how the money earned is reinvested (e.g., new green corners, eco-materials, etc.) so the cycle of reward is clear.
Empower students as eco-ambassadors: Let them take ownership of awareness-raising, with posters, announcements, and peer-led campaigns.
Build strong community links: Collaborate with local environmental NGOs (like AKTI) or municipalities to ensure smooth logistics and broader visibility.

Useful Links and Resources

This link might not lead to content in English language. Use your browser's translate function or automatic captions to explore this resource. AKTI is a leading Cypriot NGO that drives sustainability through innovative projects, research, and education, tackling issues like marine litter, climate change, and circular economy while empowering communities to build a greener future.
https://www.akti.org.cy/