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  Channel NewsAsia 17 Jul 07
Recycled tempura oil a boost for Japan's eco-tour buses

TOKYO : Japan's public transportation system has earned praises for successfully cutting down carbon dioxide emissions.

The country now has one of the lowest emission levels among industrialised nations. But there is still room for improvement.

As part of the series on Saving Gaia, Channel NewsAsia reports on an option that will appeal to Japanese tourists.

It seems like an ordinary-looking bus, but there is something that makes it very special. The bus can run on tempura oil. It has to be recycled into a so-called vegetable diesel fuel. The diesel fuel is regarded not to emit CO2.

It all began in 1993 through the efforts of Takeo Someya, who has been running the waste oil processing firm for half a century. He first sought advise from a state-run institute.

Takeo Someya, chairman of Someya Shoten, said: "The head of the research was Professor Murayama of Hokkaido University. I heard from him that his university had a bus on campus running on fuel from waste oil collected from McDonalds.

"When I heard that story. I consulted the professor, and he provided me with some guidance. That's how I started."

Today, using machines his firm has developed - used edible oil is turned into smooth fuel in a process that takes five to six hours. The vegetable diesel fuel used to be more expensive than petroleum. But with skyrocketing prices of crude oil - due to a weaker yen - it is now a cheaper alternative. It is sold for 100 to 110 yen a litre, while regular gasoline cost about 130 yen per litre.

One of those helping to promote the recycling effort is Kenichiro Iki. Each month, he takes part in Earth Day fairs to collect used edible oil.

Kenichiro Iki, President of Reborn Eco-tourism Agency, said: "Seven years ago I began an eco-tourism company. While it was called an eco-tour we were spurting CO2. Some says it is not an eco-tour. I thought so too. I needed to do something."

His tour buses run on vegetable diesel fuel, including a five-day tour from Tokyo to Hokkaido. Yayoi Minowa, tour participant, said: "I was a bit worried if the bus could run properly. I have been on it before, but it ran smoothly on expressways, and you cannot feel any difference from a regular gasoline fuelled bus."

Tatsuru Yamamoto, tour participant, said: "The only difference is the sweet aroma when you try to smell the fumes."

Vegetable diesel fuel is said to exert power that's no different from regular gasoline. It can be mixed with gasoline too.

Kazuko Sunagawa, tour participant, said: "We have to stop throwing out oil as trash. It is a good idea to consider recycling it."

Japan uses around two million tonnes of edible oil annually. Many restaurants and fast food outlets are already taking part in recycling. And it is hoped that more households will join in the effort to turn waste into eco-friendly energy. - CNA/de
links

Entrepreneur finds way to run truck on biodiesel and plans to start selling it next month
The Straits Times 15 May 06


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