New local company starts
producing bio-diesel fuel
COLE BAY--Taking the challenge of recycling to another level, St. Maarten Bio Diesel has been collecting used cooking oil from restaurants on the island with the aim of converting it into bio-fuel that is usable in diesel-powered machinery.
Owner of the Cole Bay-based company Charles Barran said he has always been fascinated by the process of recycling and helping the environment. After viewing a bio-diesel project on the Discovery Channel some years ago he decided recently to really plunge into the process.
In the past two weeks, the company has collected more than 600 gallons of used cooking oil from companies such as KFC, Burger King and Ric’s Place and has been cleaning the oil and modifying it into diesel fuel. The first batch will be used by a local trucking company, Barran said.
He is also hoping that French-side restaurants that are not already contributing oil will do so in the coming weeks. A sample of the bio diesel fuel will soon be tested in France to see if it meets European Union requirements. Once a sustainable amount of used cooking oil can be attained, the company will consider offering the product to the general public.
Restaurants interested in getting rid of their waste cooking oil can contact Barran at 555-3947 or e-mail sxmbiodiesel@gmail.com.
