Kylie Pack

HLTH 1245
Mary Cain
10/20/2016
From Grease to Fuel
Intro
Paper, bags, aluminum, jugs, bottles These are just a few responses I received when I
asked others the question, What materials can be recycled? Even after posing this question to
multiple people, the response cooking oil was never offered. When I took the opportunity to
inform those around me of the potential for cooking greases to be recycled, their cocked
eyebrows, tilt of the head, and slightly agape mouths made their surprise evident. Although
unexpected by most, cooking oil can not only be recycled, but the benefits of recycling cooking
oil into biodiesel fuels are significant. In a world full of toxic gases and other substances harmful
to the environment in which we live, recycling cooking oil can lead to a healthier mother earth
(Hatcher).
The Problem
Today, many cars, generators, and trains are powered by diesel fuel, a petroleum based
substance also known as fossil fuel (Diesel.") It received the name fossil fuel because of its
ancient origin. Animals and plants were covered by layers of sand over long periods of time.
With pressure and heat applied to these layers, they were altered and transformed into crude oil,
which is the base of petroleum fuels. Today, this crude oil is what we refer to as natural oil
("Crude Oil: Toxic Chemicals.) Although diesel fuel is cheaper to produce than gasoline, the
burning of this gas releases materials into the atmosphere that are harmful to our personal
environments (our bodies) and our shared environment (the earth.) Inhaling, swimming in, or
drinking water contaminated by the fumes and pollutants of this fuel, are very harmful to our
bodies. From headaches, low blood pressure, and vomiting to more serious bodily harm, these
fuels can impair the human body. The National Toxicology Program has declared that the
elements released by fossil fuels are reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen, meaning
they can cause cancer, particularly lung cancer (Diesel.)

In addition to the damage caused to the human body, the effects these fuels have on the
earth are detrimental. You may be familiar with the concept of the greenhouse effect. In short,
this scientific theory describes how the earth regulates temperature to ensure that it is not too
cold or too hot for life to exist upon it. By forming a layer out in the atmosphere composed of
what are known as greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, methane, ozone,
etc.,) the earth is able to trap heat in our environment. This layer of gases acts as greenhouse,
hence the name of the theory. While some radiation from the sun is absorbed into the ground,
some is also reflected off the earths surface and travels to that layer of gases. Given the nature of
this stratum of gases, some of the radiation is allowed to continue its journey onward into outer
space, while the rest is redirected back into the atmosphere. This is a wonderful and remarkable
system. Unfortunately, due to human activities, such as that of burning fossil fuels, an excessive
amount of greenhouse gases is constantly being released into the environment. In turn, the earth
is experiencing a change in climate (overheating) that could prove fatal to its inhabitants if the
issue goes untreated (Greenhouse Effect.)
The Solution
It is easy to become discouraged by the bleak future that lies ahead if nothing is done to
resolve the issues at hand in regards to climate change. However, there are actions that can be
taken. In fact, there are actions that are being taken to better the situation. If we adopt an attitude
of optimism and willingness to do our part, the circumstances in which we are found appear
much brighter. For example, there are several companies, including Waste Oil Recyclers and
Blue Ridge Biofuels, who have taken the initiative to provide a means for people to donate their
used cooking oil to be recycled into biodiesel fuel (scientifically known as long chain fatty acid
methyl or ethyl esters.) These greases include animal fats, vegetable oils, soy bean, and other
oils. In other words, triglycerides (meaning they have three fatty acids attached to a glycerin
molecule) are what must be present in order to convert oil into biodiesel fuel. This process of
converting cooking oils into biodiesel fuel by removing the glycerin and reacting it with alcohol
is called transesterification. After undergoing transesterification, the remaining product is
biodiesel fuel (chemical name: monoalkyl ester.) The fuel then undergoes testing to ensure that it
fulfills the prerequisites set by the American Society for Testing & Materials (Hatcher.)

Biodiesel fuel is much better for the environment than petroleum based fuels. Recycling cooking
oil not only allows for less plumbing problems from grease going down the drain and other
harmful environmental factors, but it provides us with a way to lessen the amount of greenhouse
gases that are released into the environment. With a renewable and biodegradable energy source
such as this, a portion the problems of climate change can be alleviated. According to research,
for every gallon of petroleum-based oil that is substituted with biodiesel fuel made from recycled
cooking oil, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere is reduced by 20 pounds
(Botelho). Furthermore, biodiesel decomposes approximately four times faster than fossil fuels,
leaving roughly only 22% after 28 days (Hatcher). Sometimes referred to as B100 or neat
biodiesel in its purest form, biodiesel fuel proposes an excellent alternative to dangerous and
destructive fossil fuels ("Biodiesel Fuel Basics).
In addition to the benefits that biodiesel fuel holds in comparison to fossil fuels
concerning the environment, the effects that it has on the health of humans is much less grim. In
fact, it is legal and fully registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It even
became the only alternative fuel in America to have passed EPAs Health Effects testing in both
Tier I and Tier II of the Clean Air Act in May of 2000. Results of this testing demonstrated that
biodiesel does not act as a carcinogen as fossil fuels do; it is nontoxic, and presents absolutely no
hazards to the health of humans. Indeed, it was shown that biodiesel fuel poses less threat than
table salt in terms of toxicity. The use of biodiesel as opposed to petroleum based fuels
discharges far less toxin. When biodiesel is used instead of fossil fuels, certain toxins are
decreased by 75%, 85%, and in some cases even 90%, without decreasing operating efficiency.
Therefore, the use of biodiesel fuel does not harm the environment of our bodies or the
environment of the earth and is a safer choice than fossil fuels (Hatcher).
Conclusion
With such a great renewable and biodegradable alternative fuel, it is reassuring to know
that there are people in the world working to make it more of a possibility. It is easy to recycle
cooking oil. Simply searching online will open the door to several companies with many
donation locations. Some businesses even offer free services for pick-up. If people were
surprised to know that recycling cooking oil is an option, imagine their surprise when they learn
that doing so can create a much healthier body environment and earth environment! Perhaps their

shocked facial expressions would not change, but hopefully their actions, specifically their habits
regarding cooking oil waste, would.

Works Cited
Botelho, Jessica A. "Project Provides Heat in Winter While Helping Environment."
National Catholic Reporter 51.7 (2015): 5a. Academic Search Premier. Web. 20 Oct.
2016.
"Biodiesel Fuel Basics." Alternative Fuels Data Center. U.S. Department of Energy. N.p., 20
Mar. 2016. Web. 20 Oct. 2016.
"Biodiesel." U.S. Department of Energy. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2016.
"Crude Oil: Toxic Chemicals." U.S. National Library of Medicine. N.p., 31 Mar. 2016. Web. 20
Oct. 2016.
"Diesel. U.S. National Library of Medicine. N.p., 31 Mar. 2016.
Web. 20 Oct. 2016.
Hatcher, Charles L. "Biodiesel As A Renewable Energy Source: A New Direction?" Spectrum:
Journal Of State Government 77.3 (2004): 13-16. Academic Search Premier. Web. 20
Oct. 2016.
"Greenhouse Effect." Australian Government Department of Environment and Energy. N.p., n.d.
Web. 20 Oct. 2016.