A SCHOOL in Sparkbrook will soon be able to power its minibus using cooking fats, oils and grease.

Ladypool Primary School is the first school in the city to install its own Used Cooking Oil Collection Point.

The recycling point allows pupils to bring waste cooking fats, oils and grease (FOG) into school from home, which can then be recycled into a low carbon biodiesel that can power their minibus for as little as 30p per litre.

It is part of the Grease Lightening Project, run by CSV Environment and financed by the Big Lottery Fund and Severn Trent Water.

The project works with schools and community groups and aims to convert waste cooking fats, oils and grease into a cheap, environmentally friendly biofuel which can reduce the running cost of school minibuses and community vehicles.

Headteacher Liz Manley said: “Since Ladypool Primary School was struck by a tornado in 2005, staff and children have been looking for a way in which we could make a positive impact with our local community and have a positive effect on global and environmental change.

“Grease Lightening seemed like the perfect solution. We are asking parents and pupils to collect recyclable waste cooking oil from home which we can then process and convert into biodiesel to fuel our minibus, saving valuable material resources and decreasing our schools carbon footprint.”

She added: “We are all excited about the real difference we can make and hope that local businesses and restaurants will join in.”

The school’s recycling point is the first in Birmingham, outside of the general Household Recycling Centres across the city such as Castle Bromwich and Tyseley which also contribute to Grease Lightening.

The scheme works in areas of Birmingham with high level of blocked sewers caused by waste FOG which is wrongly disposed of via drains.

It aims to educate and engage communities to turn waste products into a valuable commodity that can benefit the area.