Tiganokinisi, an educational, environmental programme which focuses on the collection and recycling of used cooking oil, has been successfully applied in more than 400 education units all over Cyprus. Through this programme, students learn how used oil can be transformed into biodiesel, and schools gain resources for environmental education and support of their environmental infrastructure, for the benefit of students all over Cyprus! At the same time, through the programme, green jobs are promoted and young, unemployed scientists are recruited.

After being informed and more aware, citizens actively participate in transforming a very harmful waste, such as the used cooking oil which can destroy aquifers, pollute the ground, and clog the pipes and the sewerage system, into a fuel, and promote development and progress. The goal is that ‘Tiganokinisi’ becomes part of the citizens’ everyday life!

It is an innovative approach to environmental education, which includes practical activities and teaching, learning through practice and implementing environmentally friendly practices. The used cooking oil is the means for the viability of the program and the schools: The used cooking oil is recycled, and the money earned is used for the application of green technologies in order to achieve the principle of sustainable school. The local authorities and businesses participate in the programme as they give their used oil (or part of it) as part of their corporate social responsibility programs to schools. Also, the students are encouraged to experiment, develop their own digital or physical applications / products / processes, and test their ideas.