Bring Biodiesel to New Plymouth
Throughout NZ biodiesel is being widely used and accepted as a more environmentally friendly alternative to mineral diesel. At the moment, The Bay of Plenty and Tauranga cornsortium with the support of EECA, the Sustainable Business Network are coordinating a working group of interested parties (potential and current users, producers and distributors) to determine the feasibility of a biodiesel consortium in Tauranga. We would like to do the same here in Taranaki.
If you are interested in being part of this working group, or have information that would be relevant, please contact us at jen@hivetaranaki.co.nz or you can phone on 021 726 572.
More information about biodiesel:
Biodiesel-blended diesel is a similar cost to diesel, partly due to the government grants available to New Zealand biodiesel producers. Biodiesel available in New Zealand is produced from used cooking oil, tallow (a by-product of meat processing), or rapeseed (grown as a break crop).
In New Zealand, a 5% blend of biodiesel with 95% ordinary diesel (B5) is the maximum blend ratio of biodiesel with ordinary diesel allowed for retail sale (although not currently available in Tauranga). Higher blends such as B20, however, can be sold directly to commercial users where there is a written contract for supply.
Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Since it is made from renewable resources, its use decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to our own economy.