LESTER VAUGHAN SCHOOL has joined the environmental effort into creating biodiesel. The school's environmental club is collecting used oil for conversion into the fuel, which is a non-toxic, renewable diesel substitute derived from fresh or used vegetable oil. The project is being funded by the Global Environmental Facility Small Grants Programme of the United Nations Development Programme, Counterpart Caribbean and Native Sun NRG. Volunteer at Counterpart Caribbean and managing director of Native Sun NRG, Hendel Callender, said the project sought to educate the children on a greater awareness of the environment. "We want them to be creative by not just getting the oil from just their own homes, but from anyone they come into contact with," he said. Callender was speaking at the school last Friday during an oil recycling drive. He said letters were also written for the students to carry to companies asking them for used oil. The goal is to have 300 students bring in 1.25 litres each for a total of 100 gallons a week. So far they have not met that goal, but Callender said it would take time to get them involved. He said one of the things they planned to have in the future was a popcorn machine running on biodiesel. Native Sun NRG will process the oil and sell the biodiesel. Part of the proceeds will go back to the school club. (CA)
|
