It has come to our attention in the last several months that MANY of our local friends who collect WVO have run into supply issues. There are several contributing factors. They include:
1) the cost of new cooking oil, which has kitchens attempting to reduce their usage (and increasing how long they keep oil working in the fryolator),
2) the surge of interest in WVO as raw material for biodiesel, creating pockets of competition,
3) the cost of diesel pushing more folks to convert their vehicles, creating other pockets of competition for WVO,
and 4) the high price of Yellow Grease on the commodities market, which has rendering companies competing to buy WVO from all sources.
Five years ago, who would've thought that our favorite waste product would become so popular? Those who got into greasing to save money now feel disgruntled. Those who wanted to reduce their petroleum use are feeling pinched. Businesses have started to lock their grease dumpsters to avoid theft. There's one oil company in my neighborhood that's buying its way into the grease market (ironically, they seem to be using it to heat their operations!). Here at Evergreen, we've had to raise our SmarterFuel price several times, while seeing an influx of customers whose sources are drying up.
What are the options? Well, one idea is to work together. With a collaborative group (or groups), we can create buying power and a good system for collecting WVO, maybe even secure some new accounts. Also, there are several possibilities for doing low-cost, high-quality bulk filtration. It's not rocket science, but it does require participation and organization. Here at the shop, we can offer our space for people to meet and organize a workable system. We can also provide support for collection & filtration. Local greasers, let us know your thoughts on collaborating to create "grease security" in the Valley!
Here's another link to check out. Our friends Sugati and Chris Phillips -- who were living, working, and raising their 2 girls in Hartford CT's ArtSpace when we met them -- have been facing a change of address. They saw the end of ArtSpace as they once knew it, with the gentrification of Hartford's old industrial buildings and artists' havens. The Phillips family spent a good year scoping out their options. Should they buy a house? Look at other art spaces? Invest in another industrial building? They finally made the gutsy decision to buy a '96 Amtran school bus and turn it into a mobile home for four! It's not just any camper. It's what they call an "Eco Drom," complete with solar array and WVO fuel system.
