There is something to be said for those that instead of arguing about the practicality of certain ideas, decide to tinker with the mechanics until they get it to work and then use a functioning example of their argument. I would find it hard pressed to argue with Stephen Merrett of Oberlin, Ohio who, at the ripe old age of 24 has not only converted over 100 diesel vehicles to run on waste vegetable oil but who also owns and operates the Full Circle Fuel Station on Main Street in Oberlin. Full Circle is one of the few waste vegetable oil stations in the country although the number of stations that are selling biodiesel appear to be rising.
Fresh out of college Merrett attained various grants that allowed him to work with Ray Holan, another proponent of waste oil recycling and biodiesel conversions who has worked with local Cleveland businesses (such as the Great Lakes Brewing Company)to develop biodiesel vehicles for the company's use.
Typically one can get waste vegetable oil (WVO) from restaurants but would have to store and strain the oil before using it in a vehicle. Biodiesel fuel stations are able to supply the waste as a fuel at a reduced rate (compared to traditional petroleum fuels) because the restaurants give away the waste oil instead of having to pay to have someone remove it.
Typical automobile conversions can cost upwards of $1,500.
Resources:
Biodisel.org Retail Fueling Station locations, USA
Good Grease WVO site
Big Green Bus
Balanced Living Magazine article on GLBC and Ray Holan
Plain Dealer article
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