Cuba turns to recycled oil for industry

Published 05th January, 2011

Cuba is turning to recycled oil to fuel industrial ovens and help the local environment.

A spokesman for the country's Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment (CITMA) claimed: "Used oil, rich in heavy metals such as lead, is one of the industrial wastes with the highest level of power generation. That is why [used] lubricants are given such priority."

The recycled oil is converted to fuel which is being trialled in a number of manufacturing plants across Cuba, including cement factories. However, issues remain in finding enough stock that has not been too badly contaminated in storage to be filtered and re-used.

CITMA is urging a change in attitude towards oil recycling as a way of boosting the economy and the environment.