Restaurant Technologies Recycles 390 Million Pounds of Used Cooking Oil in 2025

Context The U.S. foodservice sector generates billions of pounds of used cooking oil (UCO) each year. Converting UCO into renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel reduces landfill waste and cuts greenhouse‑gas emissions. Industry players are scaling up collection networks and forging financing deals to expand capacity.

Key Facts Restaurant Technologies reported that its collection and processing system handled over 390 million pounds of UCO in 2025. The volume represents a measurable increase from previous years and underscores the company’s role in the emerging UCO‑to‑fuel market.

In parallel, waste‑to‑energy startup Divert Inc. announced a strategic partnership with Mitsubishi Corp., which leads the company’s Series C financing round. The agreement grants Mitsubishi preferred offtake rights for renewable natural gas (RNG), a biogas product derived from organic waste, including UCO.

Meanwhile, Neste Corp., a global producer of renewable fuels, posted a significant earnings rise in the first quarter of 2026 for its renewable products segment. The boost came despite a drop in production volumes, driven by higher term‑sale premiums and rising fossil‑fuel prices that increased the market value of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.

What It Means The 390 million‑pound figure demonstrates that large‑scale UCO recycling is now commercially viable, providing a steady feedstock for renewable diesel and aviation fuel. Divert’s partnership with Mitsubishi signals growing institutional confidence in RNG and related waste‑derived fuels, potentially unlocking further capital for collection infrastructure.

Neste’s earnings surge, even with lower output, highlights how market dynamics—particularly premium pricing for low‑carbon fuels—can offset production shortfalls. Together, these developments suggest that waste‑derived fuels are gaining traction as a hedge against volatile fossil‑fuel markets.

Looking ahead, watch for expanded off‑take agreements, additional financing rounds for waste‑to‑fuel firms, and policy shifts that could accelerate UCO collection targets across the United States.