Monday 15 October 2007

Apple Fuels

Councillor Tartan Hero and I visited biodiesel producers Apple Fuels in Dalmarnock on Friday to find out more about their work.

It was pretty impressive; we were talked through the process of biodiesel production - from leftover oil from restaurants and takeaways right through to the exhaust emissions (a nice smell of chips, rather than the reek of diesel fumes!).

What struck me most was the way in which this way of biodiesel production re-uses products society might consider waste; leftover oil could well be flushed down the drain or dumped, but instead it becomes an alternative to fossil fuels. The cans which the oil came in are recycled as well, and the few by-products of the process can also be used elsewhere. The fuel can be used in diesel engines without modification, so it's readily accessible too. Definately a project to be encouraged...

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

You've really settled into the job well Alison, just swanning around visits you know nothing about saying little, you will go far for sure.

BellgroveBelle said...

Would you rather Councillors stayed in the City Chambers and met no-one in their ward?

Michael Houston said...

Hi Allison, I just wanted to say that I happened to visit Apple Fuels today, having stumbled upon them quite by chance. I've been interested in bio-fuel for some years now and I will be trying some of their fuel very soon. During my visit, from speaking to the lady in the office I discovered that their fuel is subject to fuel duty and the government subsidy, of around 20p per litre, is due to run out next March. I think this is an absolute disgrace. Not only are the government ripping us all off through taxing our petrol and diesel twice, they now intend to rip us off further by taxing an enterprise which recycles an otherwise waste product, produces a zero emission fuel and is completely sustainable. Having joined the Fair Fuel UK campaign at the start (http://www.fairfueluk.com/) I'm becoming more and more incensed about the extortionate taxes applied to a necessary commodity. To further tax people who genuinely are trying to make a difference, not only to the environment but to their fuel bills, is sheer profiteering. Legalised extortion on behalf of the government. I hope you use your position to give Apple Fuels greater exposure and also to fight against the continuing hammering of the British taxpayer.
Thank you.