So, it’s Earth Day, and I wanted to write something that celebrates the day. I wasn’t exactly sure what that would be because our house is a pretty generically green house. We recycle everything from plastic to clothing, we use water and energy during the off peak hours (when possible; there is a lot of laundry in this house!), we have litterless lunches, and we try to make green choices whenever possible.
Sounds like every other household in Canada, doesn’t it?
So, I started looking outside my home for something that really embraced the meaning of earth day, and I didn’t have to look very far.
I have friends (I actually consider them relatives, but that’s a whole different blog) who are making a difference... a real difference.
Now, I am no scientist (my friend Michael Zuraw is), but fuel made from recycled vegetable oil sounds like a means to an ends, doesn’t it? Good bye big oil companies, hello grease traps?
Zuraw Technologies in Acton Ontario makes fuel using 100% recycled vegetable oil. The oil is collected by a local farmers co-op that grows edible oil crops. The oil from these farmers is used in local restaurants, and the waste oil is collected and brought to Zuraw Technologies where it is made into biodiesel.
Biodiesel is a fuel that can be used in diesel cars, trucks, farming equipment and home furnaces.
This fuel reduces pollution not only in the air, but also keeps waste oil out of drainage systems and in return keeps it out of our lakes and rivers.
In our house, we often have discussions at the dinner table about what we can do to help save the earth. This weekend, while we are munching chocolate easter eggs for dessert, I will share with my kids how our friends, the Zuraws, are helping save the planet.
What are you doing for Earth Day?
Printer-friendly version