Used cooking oil is in high demand. Cream City Grecycling, a division of Fushion Renewables, is in search of used cooking grease from local Milwaukee, Wisconsin restaurants. After collecting the used cooking oil, the company will then turn it into biodiesel. The company has a goal of collecting at least 30,000 gallons a month by the end of the year and 50,000 gallons per month by the end of 2012.

“I think sustainability and this local flavor is something that Milwaukee really gets,” said Robert Stensberg, a quality control manager for Fusion Renewables in an article in the Journal-Sentinel.

Since launching in July, the company is offering 50 cents to $1.50 for a gallon of used grease depending on the purity. They also offer free collection containers and pick up. The pay their collectors about $2 per gallon and estimate that the recycling and refining process costs around $1.30. Biodiesel is selling on the market for around $3.50 a gallon right now. All in all, they estimate that after the used grease is converted in biodiesel, they earn about 70 cents after the $1 per gallon federal tax credit. The company currently has 5 employees and hopes to expand soon.

“We have a feeling this is going to be really successful here. We can capture a lot of market share, and we’re doing a good thing for the city,” said Jake Turetsky, a company consultant. “We’re paying restaurants for it and turning it into a renewable fuel that’s used right here in Milwaukee.”