Thanksgiving Coffee's
Use of Biodiesel
We have taken various measures here at Thanksgiving
Coffee to reduce our carbon emissions; through initiatives that reduce our
daily output such as using energy-efficient lighting throughout our facilities,
to our carbon sequestration project in which we are planting over 70,000 trees
in
When we made the
decision to fuel our delivery trucks with biodiesel, a clean-burning
alternative fuel made from soy or vegetable oil, it was partially inspired by
the desire to even further reduce our carbon emissions. However, given that
petroleum industry interests have influenced world politics for decades and
have left countries socially, economically, and environmentally devastated in
their wake, switching to biodiesel was the natural choice for Thanksgiving
Coffee in withdrawing our consent from supporting such an industry.
Rudolf Diesel
originally designed the diesel engine to run on vegetable-based oils with the
added benefit of developing agriculture in the areas in which it was produced.
The diesel engine design has since been modified--or appropriated--in order for
it to support petroleum-based 'diesel' fuel.
Biodiesel can be made
from either recycled or virgin vegetable oils produced from domestic renewable
resources. It's use has the potential to provide a
profitable crop for our nation's farmers.
We're grateful that the
option to use biodiesel is even available to us, thanks to Yokayo
Biofuels of Ukiah. Less than a year old, this company
has inspired over 150
Considering that
biodiesel is presently about fifty cents more per gallon than petro-diesel, as a business, Thanksgiving Coffee had to
make this a cost-effective effort. Funding opportunities were investigated on
the national and state levels, only to find that public and government agencies
were the only eligible recipients. Finally, on a lead from a state agency
contact, we learned that resources were available through our county Air
Quality Management District (AQMD) under AB 2766 to fund ANY project that would
decrease emissions within that particular AQMD.
We applied for the
grant and received the funds necessary to subsidize the difference in cost
between using biodiesel and petro-diesel for 2003.
WHAT IS BIODIESEL?
Biodiesel is a clean
burning alternative fuel produced from domestic renewable resources, usually
soybeans. Using biodiesel eliminates dependence on foreign oil along with the
environmental and social impacts associated with using it.
HOW IS BIODIESEL MADE?
Biodiesel fuel can be
made from new or used vegetable oils and animal fats, which are non-toxic,
biodegradable, renewable resources. Fats and oils react with alcohol (methanol
is the usual choice) to produce chemical compounds known as fatty acid methyl
esters. Biodiesel is the name given to these esters when they're intended for
use as fuel. Glycerol is produced as a by-product, which can be made into soap,
cosmetic products, and pharmaceuticals.
WHY USE BIODIESEL?
• Biodiesel is the most cost-effective alternative fuel available, as it
requires no engine modifications or special parts. It can simply be put into
the fuel tank of a diesel engine as-is. It can also be mixed with regular petrodiesel.
• It is also the safest of alternative fuels, as it has a very high flash
point.
• The use of biodiesel significantly reduces the amount of emissions that
contribute to ozone and smog. These emissions also cause acid rain, cancer, and
respiratory diseases. It is ten times less toxic than table salt and
biodegrades as fast as sugar.
• Biodiesel has 80% less carbon dioxide emissions than petrodiesel.
• Carbon monoxide emissions are an average 44% lower than petrodiesel.
• When using pure biodiesel (B100), the cancer risk of diesel exhaust is
reduced by 94%, and by 27% when using a biodiesel blend (B20-20% biodiesel, 80%
petroleum-based diesel).
• The smog-forming potential is nearly 50% less than petroleum-based diesel.
• For every one unit needed to produce biodiesel, 3.24 units of energy are
gained-the highest energy balance of any fuel.
• The scent has been compared to that of popcorn and french fries.
Biodiesel is the first
and only alternative fuel to have a complete an evaluation of emission results
and potential health effects submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act Section 211(b). A survey of the results,
averaged with other major studies, is provided in the table below.
AVERAGE BIODIESEL EMISSIONS COMPARED TO
CONVENTIONAL DIESEL
|
Emission Type: |
B100 |
B20 |
|
Regulated: |
|
|
|
Total Unburned Hydrocarbons |
-68% |
-14% |
|
Carbon Monoxide |
-44% |
-9% |
|
Particulate Matter |
-40% |
-8% |
|
NOx |
+6% |
+1% |
|
Non-Regulated: |
|
|
|
Sulfates |
-100% |
-20% |
|
PAH (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons)** |
-80% |
-13% |
|
nPAH (nitrated PAH's)** |
-90% |
-50% |
|
Ozone potential of speciated HC |
-50% |
-10% |
• Engines that run on biodiesel generally idle more smoothly and accelerate
more smoothly than with petroleum-based diesel.
• Has significantly higher lubricity than petrodiesel,
which extends engine life.
• The brands of biodiesel that are commercially available are ASTM certified
(ASTM is a non-profit standard development organization).
• Keeps injectors, fuel pumps, and lines clean.
• It is recommended that fuel lines be flushed to eliminate sediment, and fuel
filters should be changed frequently at the beginning. For pre-1986 vehicles,
rubber fuel hoses may need to be replaced with modern synthetic ones.
• Due to its solvent properties, painted surfaces should be wiped clean of
biodiesel.
THANKSGIVING COFFEE FIRST PRIVATE FLEET
IN CALIFORNIA TO USE 100% BIODIESEL IN DELIVERY OPERATIONS
Thanksgiving Coffee is
a socially and environmentally responsible coffee roaster that has taken a big
step in further reducing the impacts its operations have on the planet. The
company applied for and was granted AB 2766 funds-also known as the
Transportation Fund for Clean Air-to offset the difference in cost in fueling
its fleet with biodiesel rather than petroleum diesel. These resources are
allotted to county Air Quality Management Districts by the State Department of
Motor Vehicles in order to finance projects that reduce emissions within those
districts.
Though more than 200
public and government agencies currently use biodiesel, Thanksgiving Coffee is
the first private fleet in the state of
"We think it's
wonderful to see a private company like this taking a proactive approach in
protecting the environment while contributing to our economy and domestic
energy security," said Bob Metz, president of the National Biodiesel
Board, the non-profit trade association for the biodiesel industry.
Biodiesel is made from
renewable resources like new or used vegetable oils or animal fats. It is
non-toxic, biodegradable, and can be used in any diesel engine. Harmful carbon
dioxide emissions are reduced by 80%, and carbon monoxide emissions are an average
44% lower than those of petroleum diesel. When using pure biodiesel, the cancer
risk of diesel exhaust is reduced by 90%, and the smog-forming potential is
nearly 50% less than petroleum diesel.
Yokayo
Biofuels, located in Ukiah, will make regular deliveries
of biodiesel to the Thanksgiving Coffee facilities in
Thanksgiving Coffee
Company strives to mitigate the environmental impacts their business has on the
planet, and this is not the first time they have taken measures to offset
greenhouse gases. In 2001, they financed an assessment by the non-profit Trees
for the Future to determine carbon emissions produced in the processing,
delivery, and consumption of Thanksgiving Coffee, and is planting about 75,000
trees in Ethiopia-the birthplace of coffee-to alleviate those effects.
Source: http://www.thanksgivingcoffee.com