GreenFleet

First Bus has reduced their carbon emissions by 22,500kg by using waste cooking oil to run their buses in Bristol.

The Chipper Bus Project was unveiled in May 2009 and collects waste cooking oil from surrounding businesses such as pubs, canteens, household waste recycling centres and Bristol Prison.

After First Bus collect the waste oil, McKeown’s Bio Fuels turn it into fuel.

In order to run their buses on 100 per cent biodiesel, they would need to collect approximately 715 litres of waste cooking oil every week.

The biodiesel, however, costs the bus company more than conventional diesel as it is not possible to apply for the Bus Service Operator’s Grant on the biodiesel it buys.

This fuel in known as straight vegetable oil and it is distinct from biofuel which in the case of the bus company above, is recycled vegetable oil that has undergone a chemical process so that it can be poured straight into the tank or mixed with conventional diesel.

Catering manager for Bristol prison, Mark Haddow said: "It’s good to know that we are helping to reduce the carbon footprint of Bristol by doing something so simple as donating our waste products."

Further information:
Environmental Transport Association