Does anyone know if they are any of these in place. I have secured oil from my local schools but, they want me to confirm with the health department that it is legal to get WVO for making Bio. I am really not sure what to ask, because its not really a health department issue. If anything its an EPA issue. I would perfer not going around stiring things up but don't know what else to do. Anybody had a situation like this?

Also give me your opinion on my next post: Anyone interested in raw soybean oil?

I don't think there is as much regulation on obtaining the oil...in California there is a tax if you use the converted oil to power a highway vehicle (bastards!...so much for promoting green fuel alternatives), and codes with regard to safe materials transport over the roads. I think there is more of a concern surrounding the disposing of the glycerin byproduct.

I went through a similar situation with a college food service I asked for oil from years ago. Back then nobody had heard of biodiesel or WVO use so they were leary of my intentions anyway. They said they needed some certification that I wasn't just going to take the oil out and dump it to dispose of it. They were afraid that since they had previously been paying to get rid of the oil, it would be seen as an end-around of disposal laws to simply give me their oil. I told them if it made them feel better they could pay me for disposal, but they didn't go for that. At the end of the day, I decided it was more trouble than it was going to be worth and moved on.

As Vin63 alluded to, there are some laws/regulations involved with the transport of the waste oil, but most of those don't kick in until you're hauling hundreds of gallons at a time. As far as health department issues, there are none I'm aware of, but that might vary by location.

Go to your state web site and print out the laws pertaining to bio/WVO as a fuel, and print out the part that talks about the road tax, as well as the form that you are "filling out". Show them that you have to keep track of miles driven on vo to pay the proper taxes. This will give you a more legit appearance and should put them at ease. Let them know that the health department does not regulate fuel production. After they have used their oil and are storing it properly for disposal, it is no longer under the "jurisdiction" of the health depart once it leaves their property.

I believe that the EPA approved biodiesel but not WVO.

Pops
'80 Mercedes Benz 240D, 300k miles

I believe that the EPA approved biodiesel but not WVO.

Pops
'80 Mercedes Benz 240D, 300k miles


True, but the govt. knows that it is being used for a fuel and want their tax money on it. (Naturally it varies state to state) One of those nice little grey areas that we play in.

Also remember that any establishment that needs to get rid of used cooking oil is responsible for that waste product forever!!! If it for some reason getting buried in somebodies backyard or the woods and they can trace it back the originator is responsible! The FOG (fats,oils and greases) regulations are gonna make this a whole lot harder!

Responsible establishment is an oxymoron.

Pops
'80 Mercedes Benz 240D, 300k miles

thanks for the info guys. Its looks like it will be a while till I get the school oil anyways since school is out.