Leftovers. Even the word makes me feel full. But in Gilbert, Arizona, Thanksgiving leftovers are being turned into something significantly better than heartburn.
For the next week or so, the Gilbert-based company AZ BioDiesel will be collecting waste oil from brave citizens who decided to risk life, limb, and arteries by frying their Thanksgiving turkeys. Turkey grease put in collection barrels set up at local fire stations around town will be processed into biodiesel. While biodiesel isn't perfect, it is renewable and does produce fewer emissions than petroleum-based fuel.
Last year AZ BioDiesel's headquarters moved from Chandler to Gilbert, where it set up a processing plant. Even though hundreds of restaurants around the state send the company cooking oil, they could still use more to meet demand. Converting the waste oil prevents the grease from mucking up the sewer system. Plus, the company says their fuel sells for 30 cents less per gallon than regular diesel.
As for preparation, “Don’t worry about some of the bits and chunks that are in it," company president Dan Reese told AZFamily.com. "We're going to filter it." I smell the start of a new holiday tradition.
Photo: The oil gets another chance, even if the turkey doesn't. Credit: Ernesto Andrade.
Tags: Alternative Fuels, Cars, Green Tech, Turkey
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