Biodiesel beginning to gain acceptance

4 October, 2009Clean burning fuel made from recycled cooking grease and distressed Can­ola plants, also known as biodiesel, is making its way into more vehicles.

Dozens of Canadian cities are now blending it with regular diesel in their government fleet trucks and buses as a way to cut emissions. Biodiesel is non-toxic, biodegradable, and produces about 75 per cent less carbon emissions than regular diesel.

Most provinces still only have a few places that sell it at the pump, but the trend is growing. The BC government started to gradually implement legislation at the beginning of 2009. By the end of 2010, all diesel fuel sold in B.C. will be at least a B5 blend — five per cent biodiesel, 95 per cent regular diesel.

Five per cent may seem low, but an entire network of stations, reliable suppliers and standards that don’t void some engine warranties is still being worked out. Alberta, Manitoba and the federal government have plans to follow B.C.’s lead with similar programs, likely with a B2 blend to start.

Stations like Autogas on Main Street in Vancouver use a much higher B20 blend made entirely from post-consumer restaurant kitchen grease. “We pay 2 to 4 cents a litre more for B20 biodiesel, and fill up spots are still limited,” says Phil Harbut, who manages FrogBox, a low waste moving supply service in Vancouver. “But think of the carbon emissions that our trucks are not spewing into the air. We are adamant about supporting an alternative to diesel that is easier on the lungs.”

Where does biodiesel come from?

• Biodiesel is a clean burning, non-toxic biodegradable alternative fuel that can be combined at any level with regular diesel to fuel diesel engines. It is produced from renewable sources such as canola, soy or palm oils, and as well as waste made mostly from animal fats: low grade recycled cooking oils and trap grease.

• Recycled kitchen grease and damaged crops that cannot be used for food still lead the way, but experts predict that non-food resources, like certain algae and the grow-anywhere yet poisonous jatropha plant could take Canada’s biodiesel market more mainstream.

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