How to Find WVO
It’s been over a year since I posted something on WVO availability and collection, so let’s refresh and update.
I’ve been running WVO for over 5 years now. No engine trouble and no difficulty finding WVO. One personal secret I must share is that, I did it backwards. Everyone says to find oil first, then convert your vehicle. I being brood from Polish decent and coupled with a strong ancestry from the Kentucky hills, I naturally was driven to go against common, accepted knowledge. I converted my vehicle first, then “magically” I was amply motivated to find oil Since, I’ve had no trouble trouble fueling my diesels with WVO; while at the same time relieving the oil companies of my financial dependence. I’ve never used a contract either. Typically, contracts are non-binding legally. I do think contracts are a good idea, mainly to give the impression to the restaurant owner that you are committed to taking their oil. Restaurants are a lot less likely to select you as their waste oil service provider if you show-up as some random guy looking to take some of their vegetable oil.
Here are some proven ways to get oil:
Craigslist:
What has been helpful is using local craigslist. I post ads wanting WVO and typically get calls from restaurants and individuals. Also, daily searches for WVO in the “For Sale” Category will eventually yield results.
Direct From Restaurant:
Asian and high-end restaurants often have the best quality WVO. But…don’t even think of showing up to your local Happy Garden in your greasy pants and ask for their oil. That worked back when we had the “free-pickup” angle to sell the restaurants on, but now they expect more. The restaurants want to deal with professionals and ensure their WVO will be reliable collected. Most of them also want to be paid for the oil as well. I recommend having a WVO “Business”. Make up cards and brochures for cheap from Vista Print. Show you will provide them a professional collection service and they will never have to worry about their waste oil. If you can get the restaurant to leave the oil in the plastic cubies, that can be easier as you just grab them and go. In many cases you will need to provide a new barrel or container. It’s best to have a locking lid now as grease theft is rampant. Theft in South Florida was so bad, Pristine Biodiesel has made a line of super-secure collection bins called “The Terminator”.
If you want to take oil collecting to the next step, you can develop an “oil management” business. Startup oil collection business have found it profitable to offer other services to the restaurants like fryer filtration(which allows the restaurant to re-use the oil), grease-trap service and even energy efficient lighting. This is one of the best ways to secure the oil is by managing it directly. The oil no longer makes it out to the dumpster because you are handling it and you get to take it. Service-added oil collection is really a strong selling point. A company in the southeast, Refried Means is offering training and equipment for independent WVO oil management entrepreneurs.
Alas, WVO is not being given away anymore. It is a hot commodity going for upwards of $3/gallon on the commodity market. But it’s still available. Some estimates from the DOE say 100 million gallons of WVO a day are produced. So don’t tell me there’s not any oil. With some determination, planning and creativity, individuals and fleets are still finding ways to access oil and secure their fuel needs.
Please add your insights or questions below.
-Jason Jelonek
Philip Mcaleavey says:
Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 7:32pm
Thanks for the insight,I just came bac from P.V. MX and my friend has offered me 20 gal of oil a week from his rest.I did not have the equipt. for cleaning it but next year it will be avail.2 vehicles of diesel,79 mercedes mand a Iszusu motor home that I now live in and travel…need to do it !
Philip
P.S.
Would like to know your best ,simple way of cleaning the “WVO”?
Roger Keen says:
Sunday, July 21, 2013 at 11:49am
Hi,would be very interested in how you filter your oil regards Roger.
Jason says:
Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at 2:50pm
Here is my oil cleaning setup:
http://www.wvodesigns.com/blog/veggie-co-op/
Gordon Soderberg says:
Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 3:06pm
Here is our grease pump.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151512901149063&set=a.10151512900609063.1073741825.82524159062&type=1&theater
Russell says:
Monday, August 26, 2013 at 8:42pm
Never mind about not being set up to process the wvo. Take up your friend or anyone else who offers on the offer of the oil and collect it and store it! Even if its 12 months in storage the oil will be better to clean/filter/centrifuge as all the solid matter will have settled to the bottom of the drums. In australia we get 20 liter drums from the drum muster collection cages at the rubbish dumps. Just wash them out and you will have dozens of new poly 20 liter drums to store and transport your bullion!