"10 Questions With......"
Serena Eades, Johan Stroman & Steve Dieter
Sunshine Coast Biofuels Network
November, 2010 Interview

What are the goals of the Sunshine Coast Biofuels Network (SCBN)?

The SCBN aims to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels; reduce our carbon-based emissions which contribute to global warming and support community-based solutions to our transportation challenges. In the process we support interested individuals and groups to understand fuel alternatives for diesel vehicles; help support the local economy and positively profile restaurants that are contributing waste vegetable oil (WVO).

What are the direct environmental benefits of having the SCBN operating in our community?

The SCBN provides an alternative to regular diesel fuel. There’s no competition with food crops and both WVO and biodiesel reduce carbon dioxide emissions. For pure biodiesel the total lifecycle CO2 savings is nearly 73%, with half the carbon monoxide and particulate matter – and an 80% reduction in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (which can cause cancer and emphysema). Choosing biodiesel or WVO helps reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. It keeps waste vegetable oil out of landfills, helping to prevent toxic substances from finding their way into the streams and the water table. The SCBN keeps waste vegetable oil in use on the coast, which supports the community and benefits local business. We provide a regular pick up service for restaurants that use oil for cooking. Supporting more non-trans fat oils in restaurants makes for better nutrition too.

What are the differences between WVO (waste vegetable oil) and biodiesel?

Waste vegetable oil is the raw material from which biodiesel is based. Waste vegetable oil can power a diesel vehicle directly however unless you blend a 5% to 50% mix with regular diesel fuel, vegetable oil will get thick at lower temperatures which can clog your engine. One way around this is to install a second tank and oil heating system in your vehicle via pre-made kits (e.g. PlantDrive or Frybrid) or a DIY kit (several plans are available online). The other way to resolve this is by chemically altering WVO to make it into biodiesel which behaves much like regular diesel. Both WVO and biodiesel are biofuels because they are based on plant oils rather than petroleum and both reduce your car’s emissions by about three-quarters. At present the SCBN offers WVO and is exploring making biodiesel in large enough quantities to be another viable option.

Can an unmodified diesel car be fuelled by WVO?

Yes. You could do a lower percentage blend over the winter months or invest in a twin tank system as described above. Current members use both approaches.

Is there currently enough WVO available locally to cover the Sunshine Coast’s automotive diesel needs?

It can likely support 100 diesel car owners or more depending on annual mileage. The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) recent Community Energy and Emissions Plan estimates the Coast uses about 6,800,000 litres of diesel fuel each year (2007 numbers). There is not that much waste vegetable oil available on the Coast. However, much of the WVO we do have is currently collected by off-coast companies and sometimes winds up in local landfills. Our intent is to supply what the Coast market currently bears in the form of refined biofuels for a portion of willing community members. Ultimately we can’t solve all our transportation challenges and climate change through use of biofuels – however, fuel alternatives like waste vegetable oil represent one colour in the palette of available solutions. This is a solution that we wish to get behind and we are interested in helping move other sustainable transportation ideas forward as well.

How can a restaurant participate in the SCBN and what are they offered in return for their waste oil?

We’re very grateful to the local restaurants and pubs that already provide regular access to their waste vegetable oil. With a growing membership and central location our capacity will grow so we can ensure restaurants regular, tidy and reliable pickup; an annual clean-up of their waste storage spot and positive profiling in the community. We will provide restaurants with a fun and identifiable label for their window that demonstrates their support of this community venture. Participating restaurants will also be profiled on the SCBN website that is currently being developed.

Does the Network provide help or other services besides fuel?

Yes. There is quite a bit of technical expertise and mechanical know how within the membership and we welcome more. If you’re considering the making the switch over we have literature, links and able and willing hands that can help you take the steps to convert your vehicle to run on biofuels.

In what ways has the Network been supported by the Sunshine Coast community to date?

We have been supported so far by Deer Crossing the Art Farm, the Green Team from Gibsons United Church, and the One Straw Society, each of whom have provided support in the form of profiling at workshops, direct funding as well as support on funding applications. As a small collective we rely on a strong volunteer spirit and dedicated core group – but without the engagement and support of other community-based groups it would be more difficult! So we welcome support from any individuals/groups interested in helping to move our vision forward.

How can the Sunshine Coast community continue to help the SCBN grow?

We have a fully functional processing system now but are seeking a larger central location in Gibsons or Roberts Creek to allow members easy and convenient access. We are also welcoming new members interested in fueling their diesel car and/or consider converting their car to run on WVO year round.

How do individuals seeking membership in the SCBN get involved?

People can contact us by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Annual membership is $50, which allows you access to purchase very high quality purified vegetable oil and soon biodiesel as well. In addition, membership gives you the opportunity to attend monthly meetings to play an active part in this venture going forward.

More information about biofuels and related co-ops...…

Check out the inspirational work of the Cowichan Bio-Diesel Cooperative. Begun in 2004 as a community meeting – Cowichan Bio-Diesel Community now operates as a Cooperative and has grown from the initial 14 members to 140. The group has the support of three or more local organizations to develop and grow – making themselves better able to provide support for local drivers of diesel powered cars. The Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-op presents a very compelling model of a dedicated group that is really doing it! Something the Sunshine Coast can achieve.

Need more inspiration? Be sure to check out the multi award winning film called FUEL. FUEL is a comprehensive and entertaining look at energy in North America: a history of where we have been, our present predicament and a solution to our dependence on foreign oil. Rousing and reactionary, FUEL is an amazing, in-depth, personal journey of oil use and abuse as it examines wide-ranging energy solutions other than oil, the faltering US auto and petroleum industries, and the latest stirrings of the American mindset toward alternative energy.

Click here to download the PDF "Biodiesel in British Columbia (2004)." This is a Feasability Study Report prepared for Eco-Literacy Canada by WISE Energy Co-op.