Ecoil is transforming India’s approach to waste and energy. By converting used cooking oil from households, restaurants, and food businesses into clean, sustainable biodiesel, Ecoil turns what was once discarded into a powerful environmental solution. The company tackles pollution, prevents food-chain contamination, and reduces carbon emissions, all while driving India’s transition to clean energy. To accelerate this impact, Ecoil has secured funding from The Chennai Angels, Shell E4, and other investors, boosting its infrastructure, logistics, automation, and talent. With every drop of oil repurposed, Ecoil demonstrates that sustainability can be smart, profitable, and profoundly transformative.
In an exclusive conversation with The Interview World, Sushil Vaishnav at the Viksit Delhi – Viksit Tourism & Hospitality Summit, hosted by The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India, CEO and Co-founder of Ecoil, shares the startup’s journey and its mission to embed sustainability across the restaurant and food ecosystem. He highlights the volume of used cooking oil processed, the biodiesel yield achieved, and the economic benefits generated. Vaishnav also explains how Ecoil actively advances environmental responsibility and outlines the company’s vision for the future.
Here are the key takeaways from his insightful discussion.
Q: Can you share the story behind Ecoil’s inception and explain how it is driving sustainability across the entire restaurant and food ecosystem?
A: I am a food technologist with over 15 years of experience. During my career, I began asking a critical question: how can we make the food we eat outside safer? While we cannot solve every problem in the food industry, I noticed a recurring and serious issue with cooking oil. Many restaurants repeatedly reuse oil, dispose of it in drains, or sell it to small street food vendors. This practice poses severe health risks. According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), oil used more than three times can lead to life-threatening conditions, including heart attacks, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Our objective became simple yet powerful: collect used cooking oil and convert it into biodiesel. We started modestly—I personally collected oil on my bike, one batch at a time. Gradually, as we formalized our operations and registered as a startup, our reach expanded. Our efforts attracted investment from prestigious organizations, including IIM Ahmedabad, Shell, Tata, and even Shark Tank.
Today, Ecoil has grown into a nationwide operation, transforming used cooking oil into a sustainable energy solution while addressing serious public health concerns. This journey is a testament to how a simple idea, executed diligently, can create meaningful impact across India.
Q: What’s the volume of used cooking oil Ecoil collects and the corresponding yield from the recycling process?
A: Currently, we collect approximately 400,000 kilograms of used cooking oil every month. From this, we achieve a biodiesel yield of around 85 percent, while the remaining portion is disposed of as waste.
Q: Can you describe the infrastructure Ecoil uses to collect used cooking oil from multiple cities and consolidate it for biodiesel production?
A: We have built our own liquid logistics infrastructure across India, establishing more than 16 strategically located warehouses. To optimize operations, we developed an urbanized collection model. Additionally, we created a mobile application to ensure every collection is tracked and managed efficiently. Using this app, we monitor each batch, transport it to our hubs, and then send it to the plant for refining into biodiesel.
Q: What are the economic outcomes or returns that Ecoil achieves from its operations?
A: Our biodiesel is utilized by major players such as IOC and HPCL, who purchase it for their operations. Industrial users also rely on it to power heavy machinery. In addition, we export this biodiesel for the production of sustainable aviation fuel, extending its impact globally.
Q: How does Ecoil contribute to advancing sustainability through its operations?
A: Every kilogram of oil we collect prevents approximately 2.5 kilograms of CO₂ from entering the environment. By converting used cooking oil into biodiesel, we reduce carbon emissions and actively contribute to a greener, more sustainable future. If this oil were not collected, it would either be adulterated or replaced with conventional fuel, which generates significantly higher emissions. Every drop of oil we recover directly supports sustainability and helps build a cleaner environment.
Q: What future path or vision do you foresee for Ecoil?
A: One of the biggest challenges the industry faces is awareness. Many people simply do not know the risks associated with repeatedly used cooking oil. To address this, we invest significant time and effort collaborating with state and central governments to educate the public about its harmful effects. As awareness grows, behaviour will gradually change. Just as society moved away from drinking untreated tap water, we envision a similar shift in how cooking oil is used, people will stop reusing it repeatedly. Over time, this collective change will help the entire ecosystem evolve toward safer and more sustainable practices.
