It's time...

I've been putzing around by myself with biodiesel for too long. It's time to share what I'm doing and change my community.

I'm collecting waste vegetable oil from five local restaurants. I can make about 120 liters of biodiesel a week. This is far more than I need for myself!

This has been brewing in the back of my mind for some time. I've been collecting parts and thinking about systems. Now to put it all together and publicize it.

I've rescued a couple fuel-oil tanks from people who had converted to gas heat and needed to get rid of the tanks. Today, I rented a pressure washer for $50 and cleaned the sludge out of the bottom of those tanks. One tank will become my input buffer -- waste vegetable oil I collect from restaurants will go in there. The other tank will be my output buffer -- finished biodiesel will go in there.

I've purchased a fuel meter and pump for the output tank, so people can come and fill up their cars, just like at the gas station. I need to mount that, and to plumb a sight gauge on the side, so I can easily see approximately how much fuel I have.

I've been struggling with the financial aspect of this thing. I want to get locally produced fuel in the tanks of local people, but there is out-of-pocket expenses and a great deal of labour involved. On the other hand, if I "sell" the product, I would imagine I'm in for a world of bureaucratic hurt, including standards testing, taxes, paperwork... Also, I don't want to accept liability for people's vehicles. I run this stuff in my own vehicle with no problems, but one person with an unrelated problem that they blame on me could ruin my whole day, or much longer. I am so allergic to lawyers!

So, I plan to proceed on a "voluntary contribution" basis, encouraging people to leave an amount roughly corresponding to what they'd normally pay for their fuel. People who are well off and generous can leave more, and those who can't really afford diesel fuel can certainly leave less. People who provide labour can put in a lot less.

Each person will have to "register" before getting fuel for the first time. This process will ensure that they have read the waiver, that they understand fueling procedures, and it gives them an opportunity to volunteer to help with some of the work. By doing this as a "club" I'm hoping to slip by much of the regulatory concern that would hit me were I to try to open a bona-fide service station.

Okay, your turn now. Is this a good idea? Am I crazy? Any suggestions for implementing the process?