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MEADVILLE, Pa. – March 3, 2010 – Allegheny College today began supplying waste oil from its dining halls to the City of Meadville’s biodiesel production operations. Meadville Mayor Christopher Soff was on hand for the first collection of waste oil from Brooks Dining Hall.

Working in conjunction with Parkhurst Dining Services, the college will provide approximately 800 to 1,000 gallons of waste oil to the city each year. Based on the current price of petroleum diesel and the cost to produce biodiesel, the partnership could help save the city up to $1,500 annually.

In its pure form or mixed with petroleum diesel, biodiesel can be used in standard diesel vehicles without engine modification.

“This partnership represents an outstanding opportunity for the college and the city,” said Allegheny sustainability coordinator Kelly Boulton. “It has both economic and environmental benefits, and we’re especially excited that our students were involved from the beginning in making this collaboration a reality.”

In 2008 Allegheny’s Center for Economic and Environmental Development conducted a study exploring the feasibility of biodiesel production by the City of Meadville. Led by Allegheny students and environmental science professor Richard Bowden, the study found the city could save up to $20,000 annually by producing biodiesel from area restaurants’ waste cooking oil.

More information on the Center for Economic and Environmental Development and the biodiesel feasibility study can be found at ceed.allegheny.edu.

Allegheny College is a national liberal arts college where 2,100 students with unusual combinations of interests and talents develop highly valued abilities to explore critical issues from multiple perspectives.

View Photos from the First Waste Oil Collection