Pittsboro, NC - Chatham County received $6800 as part of the "Carolina Blue Skies and Green Jobs Initiative", using it to purchase and install a 1000-gallon biodiesel fueling station at the county's garage. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel produced from vegetable oil or animal fats that is easily blended with petroleum diesel, typically at a 20% biodiesel 80% petroleum diesel ratio.
The Waste Management department began using B20 earlier this month in three of its recycling trucks. The department estimates it will reduce its annual usage of petroleum diesel by 2,500 gallons or more. The project also has a positive impact on the local economy. Chatham County currently obtains its biodiesel from Piedmont Biofuels in Pittsboro. In addition, the Waste Management department partners with Piedmont Biofuels to provide cooking oil recycling tanks and pick-up service at the county's 12 Collection Centers. Another recycling tank is located at the county's main Waste Management facility for any county resident, restaurant, or other small business. Teresa Chapham, Chatham's waste reduction coordinator says,
"Chatham residents and businesses can directly contribute to cleaner emissions in the county and support the local economy by recycling their used cooking oil. The oil is used locally to produce biodiesel, which is used to fuel our recycling trucks. It's also a great way to keep cooking grease out of the plumbing systems, as well as landfills in North Carolina".
The US Department of Energy reports that biodiesel also substantially decreases harmful emissions, and reduces visible smoke and noxious odors. "While our vehicles are equipped with emission controls, using the B20 blend will further reduce our fleet's negative impact on the air quality in Chatham", said Dan LaMontagne, Chatham County's solid waste director.
For more information on Chatham County's recycling programs contact Waste Management department at 919-542-5516.
The Waste Management department began using B20 earlier this month in three of its recycling trucks. The department estimates it will reduce its annual usage of petroleum diesel by 2,500 gallons or more. The project also has a positive impact on the local economy. Chatham County currently obtains its biodiesel from Piedmont Biofuels in Pittsboro. In addition, the Waste Management department partners with Piedmont Biofuels to provide cooking oil recycling tanks and pick-up service at the county's 12 Collection Centers. Another recycling tank is located at the county's main Waste Management facility for any county resident, restaurant, or other small business. Teresa Chapham, Chatham's waste reduction coordinator says,
"Chatham residents and businesses can directly contribute to cleaner emissions in the county and support the local economy by recycling their used cooking oil. The oil is used locally to produce biodiesel, which is used to fuel our recycling trucks. It's also a great way to keep cooking grease out of the plumbing systems, as well as landfills in North Carolina".
The US Department of Energy reports that biodiesel also substantially decreases harmful emissions, and reduces visible smoke and noxious odors. "While our vehicles are equipped with emission controls, using the B20 blend will further reduce our fleet's negative impact on the air quality in Chatham", said Dan LaMontagne, Chatham County's solid waste director.
For more information on Chatham County's recycling programs contact Waste Management department at 919-542-5516.
