Cary Biofuel Plan 1st in Nation

Story by Leslie Huffman | August 4, 2009 | Tags: bio-fuel, cary, Environment, North Carolina, Recycling

Staff photos by Leslie Huffman

The Town of Cary once again leads in innovation and protecting our natural resources.  Cary’s curbside program for recycling waste cooking oils into environmentally friendly bio-fuel will be the first, full-time collection service in the nation.

“The goal of this program is to reduce the disposal of cooking oils and grease into our sewer systems and landfills,” says Solid Waste Manager, Scott Hecht.

“After collecting over 560 gallons of waste cooking oil in our very successful pilot program, we secured funding to continue this program and recycle the waste into beneficial bio-fuel.”

Once waste cooking oil is collected through the town’s free curbside collection, it will be refined and processed into bio-diesel. The town can use the fuel in its fleet vehicles.

This reuse and recycling of waste oils will help support a local bio-fuel manufacturing business as well as the local economy.  Cary also benefits by receiving  $.25 for every gallon of used residential cooking oils from the refiners who make the bio-diesel.

To join this recycling initiative, call Public Works & Utilities Customer Service at (919)469-4090 to schedule free curbside pick-up. Then, simply pour your used cooking oils, animal fats and grease into a sealable container such as a coffee can or plastic soda bottle.  Seal and label the container “Waste Cooking Oil”.

For more information visit the Fats, Oils & Grease section of the town’s website.