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McDonald’s’ French fries oil powers delivery trucks in Mumbai
Mumbai, July 23 (IANS) In a unique green initiative, McDonald’s on Monday said it has started recycling several tonnes of used cooking oil from its restaurants into biodiesel fuel to power the company’s fleet of refrigerated delivery trucks.
The pilot project initiated last year now covers the 85 McDonald’s outlets in Mumbai and will soon be extended to all the 275-plus branches in west and south regions of India, said Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt Ltd (HRPL) Director Vikram Ogale.
Accordingly, HRPL now converts over 35 tonnes (35,000 litres) of used cooking oil every month into biodiesel for its 25-strong fleet of refrigerated delivery trucks, resulting in savings of more than 420,000 litres of crude oil annually, he said.
Ogale said biodiesel made from used cooking oil is cleaner, with 75 per cent lower carbon emissions than diesel over its entire lifecycle, making it an eco-friendly fuel that helps cub global warming.
In fact, even the refrigeration equipment aboard the trucks is now powered by the biodiesel, he added.
Explaining the process, Ogale said the oil used for frying French fries and other foods is collected from the restaurants and taken to the converting facility in tankers, converted into biodiesel and returned for use in the supply logistics of the McDonald’s group in the city.
Westlife Development Ltd Vice Chairman Amit Jatia said that over the next four years, the HRPL plans to expand its restaurants to around 450-500.
“This means about 15 lakh litres of used oil to make bio-diesel for running the trucks fleet, thereby reducing over 4000 MT of carbon emissions, equal to planning about 200,000 trees,” Jatia pointed out.
Biodiesel Association of India (BAI( President Sandeep Chaturvedi said HRPL is the country’s first restaurant chain to implement the sustainable biodiesel by recycling its used cooking oil.
“The BAI encourages all food companies to learn from this initiative and apply it in their own business model,” Jatia urged.
In a statement, the HRPL said it has presented its biodiesel initiative to the FSSAI, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Petroleum, State Biofuel Development Boards in various states, Oil PSUs, food companies, CII, AIFPA and the NASVI, among others, in a bid to popularise it.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.