ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - Alachua County is collecting waste vegetable oil for producing biodiesel fuel at the Alachua County Fair occurring October 18-26, 2013. Special collection drums have been provided by the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department’s Hazardous Waste Collection program for use by food vendors at the Fair for the collection and recycling of waste vegetable oil. Alachua County will also provide waste vegetable oil collection and recycling drums at the City of Gainesville’s Downtown Festival and Art Show on November 16 and 17, 2013, and at the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire on January 25 and 26 and January 31 through February 2, 2014.
The County plans to expand collection efforts to include additional community fairs and festivals in the next year. Recently, the Kanapaha Spring Garden Festival and the Micanopy Fall Festival have participated in waste vegetable oil collection events. Over 700 gallons of waste vegetable oil have been collected by Alachua County for biodiesel production from community events over the past two years.
Alachua County’s biodiesel production from waste vegetable oil project was restarted in July 2013, following changes in State of Florida fuel tax regulations which removed cumbersome tax reporting and inventory requirements from local governments. These changes in state law were supported by the County’s local legislative delegation made up of Senator Bradley, and Representatives Perry and Watson.
Since starting initial biodiesel production in late 2010, Alachua County has produced over 3,200 gallons of biodiesel fuel for use in County fleet vehicles and electrical generators.
For more information, contact Alachua County Pollution Prevention Manager, John J. Mousa at 352-264-6805 or jjm@alachuacounty.us.