Biodiesel: A Fuel for a Better World

We recycle paper, plastic bottles, cardboard boxes and other materials, but what about oil? Common oils can provide a new purpose rather than just being thrown away after being used. They can be treated to make biodiesel- a clean-burning alternative to petroleum diesel. Household renewable resources like cooking oil, vegetable oil, and even animal fats (bacon grease, anyone?) go through a treatment where the glycerin is separated from the fat or oil. This process produces two separate products; glycerin (used in making soaps, food products and even medicine) and methyl esters, aka Biodiesel!

Biodiesel comes for use in its pure form but is more commonly found as B20- a blend of 20% biodiesel with 80% petroleum diesel, and can be used in virtually any diesel engine. So, why should you use biodiesel? Since it is made from renewable resources, it is better for the environment and has lower emissions compared to traditional petroleum diesel. Biodiesel reduces nearly all forms of air pollution that petroleum diesel produces, specifically toxic contaminants and cancer-causing compounds, as well as the soot found in diesel exhaust. Biodiesel is completely non-toxic and biodegradable, and using renewable, domestic energy sources reduces our dependence on imported oil, which increases our nation’s security and contributes to our own economy!

When using biodiesel, there are some precautions that must be followed. Check out the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2004 Biodiesel Handling and Use Guidelines for more detailed information and to decide if biodiesel is right for you and your vehicle. Hundreds of retail stations have biodiesel blends available to the public, and if your favorite station doesn’t have it in stock, be sure to request it! To see where you can get biodiesel, view the National Biodiesel Board’s Biodiesel Retail Maps. For more information, visit www.biodiesel.org and take the steps towards fueling towards a better, healthier world!