The Ithaca Biodiesel Cooperative is a group of dedicated local volunteers who partner with many of Ithaca’s fine restaurants to turn waste vegetable oil into filtered vegetable oil and biodiesel for consumption as a vehicle and home heating fuel. By diverting an extremely useful, energy-dense substance from the landfill, we reduce waste and pollution. By avoiding the consumption of fossil fuels, we improve the environment and the fractious political landscape that global fossil fuel dependence foments. By partnering with local restaurants, we encourage community-wide participation in the path towards a sustainable future. Hence our motto “Grease for Peace!”.

We plan to use the Sustainable Tompkins mini-grant to increase public awareness about the benefits of biodiesel and vegetable oil fuels, using traditional (print and radio media) advertisements as well as modern advertising platforms (websites, bumper stickers, restaurant window decals). Our main objectives are to increase demand for these fuels, and even more importantly, increase levels of volunteer turnout, with educational and outreach campaigns.

Sustainable Tompkins note: The Ithaca Biodiesel Cooperative operated from 2007 through 2013.