PRIO and CARRIS initiate the implementation of the Beato Biobus operation and launch a School competition
The PRIO and CARRIS united in the operation Beato Biobus, integrated in the Hub Criativo do Beato Living Lab project, started its implementation to promote sustainability and circular economy in mobility to the Hub Criativo do Beato Living Lab and surrounding community. The aim of the project is the production of biodiesel for CARRIS buses from used cooking oil collected in selected locations in the parishes of the eastern area of Lisbon, creating a route powered by 'Zero Diesel'. Smart cooking oil recycling bins were distributed in 10 schools and the 1st edition of the Beato Biobus School Competition was launched.
The Beato BioBus school competition has the participation of schools from the D. Dinis, Luís António Verney, Santa Maria dos Olivais and Valsassina school groups, bringing together more than 3,500 students involved in the theme of decarbonisation in urban transport and raising awareness of the importance of the correct disposal of used cooking oil. PRIO installed a smart bin in each school to promote collection, and will reward, with educational materials and study visits, the school that collects the largest amount of used cooking oil from April 1 to July 31 .
The start of this initiative included the presence of the new mascot “Oli-fante”, in a dedicated activation and awareness campaign in the 10 registered schools, where around 3,500 mini-cooking oil recycling bins and flyers were handed out. The action counted with the presence of PRIO's responsible who tried to reach all the students with the message of the importance of the correct disposal of used cooking oil, being this waste later transformed at PRIO's factory into an environmentally friendly biofuel that will supply the CARRIS "Beato BioBus" line. This initiative seeks to demonstrate the role of each one of us as citizens in this task which is to protect our planet, creating an example of a circular economy, as well as to contribute to the just transition to a carbon neutral society leveraged by innovation, technology and entrepreneurship generated by this living lab, the Hub Criativo do Beato Living Lab.
This operation was launched in the second half of 2021, allowing the potential use of a fuel developed by PRIO in the Biofuels Factory in Aveiro in several CARRIS buses. This fuel, produced entirely from residual raw materials, allows reducing by 84% the greenhouse gas emissions of traditional fossil fuels, with no need to make any changes to the engines.
The Beato Biobus, in a set of 9 operations, is part of the strategy to transform the Hub Criativo do Beato into a smart campus with a view to implementing urban strategies for its sustainability and environmental resilience. This living lab, the Hub Criativo do Beato Living Lab, is a project promoted by Startup Lisboa, with the technical direction of Lisboa E-Nova, and that integrates the Notice #4, Environment Program, launched by EEA Grants. The evolution of the Beato Biobus operation can be followed on the HCB Living Lab website: livinglab.hubcriativobeato.com
Pedro Bogas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CARRIS says: "This project is an example of how you can act on a local level, thinking about global issues. CARRIS is very proud to be able to explore its potential to reach the population of Lisbon, in a project that combines environmental education with fighting climate change and raising awareness about waste recycling. It is a remarkable case of circular economy, at a time when the importance of reducing oil imports and greenhouse gas emissions could not be more on the agenda."
For Anabela Antunes, COO of PRIO Bio, Member of the PRIO Executive Committee, "This joint initiative with Carris consolidates the use of biodiesel in dedicated fleets, with a biofuel with 0% fossil energy, produced from used cooking oil. The contribution of residual raw materials to produce biofuels is very relevant and it is important to raise citizens' awareness on the importance of collecting used cooking oils, thus contributing to sustainable mobility and enhancing the circular economy."
In addition to the objectives set with the EEA Grants, PRIO and CARRIS will use the synergies to study and monitor the performance of the vehicles, which will allow the publication of a case study on the performance of buses based on different types of energy.
