This study used environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) to investigate waste vegetable oil (WVO) biodiesel production at the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, Centre for Agricultural Renewable Energy and Sustainability (CARES). CARES production data and Natural Resources Canada’s GHGenius LCA data were utilized to conduct a well-to-gate LCA. A range of scenarios were studied including using soybean oil feedstock and implementing methanol recovery. Results suggest that methanol is the environmental bottleneck of the WVO biodiesel production system. Results also suggest soybean biodiesel production released more GHG emissions and consumed more energy than both WVO biodiesel or petroleum diesel production. LCA is an iterative process. Due to the study’s limited scope, and status as a screening study, it is recommended that the study of the impacts of the CARES facility be redone with more reliable facility data, that it include the anaerobic digester, as well as a well-to-wheels boundary. / University of Guelph

Falsamente percebido como não agressivo ao meio ambiente pela sua origem verde, o óleo de fritura usado não tem uma cadeia de reciclagem formal. A população, as empresas e os diferentes níveis de governo têm atuação variada e não coordenada para fazer com que este resíduo tenha um destino ambientalmente correto. Este trabalho mostra como funcionam as cadeias que reciclam o óleo de fritura, estabelecendo elementos de avaliação de sua capacidade de se firmarem no tempo, de se consolidarem para assegurar sua sustentabilidade. A partir de uma revisão conceitual de indicadores de sustentabilidade é definida um método de avaliação e feita sua aplicação às cadeias que tratam o resíduo oriundo de Taubaté e S. José dos Campos. Seguiu-se esta cadeia da fonte aos usuários finais situados mesmo fora destas cidades. Na forma de pesquisa qualitativa exploratória, são entrevistados todos os tipos de agentes que atuam nestas cadeias, mostrando sua perspectiva da situação atual e da futura. O estudo mostra que as cadeias de reciclagem do óleo de fritura são poucas, fracas, vivem na informalidade e por vezes dependem de ações de voluntariado. Elas carecem de uma presença de governo e não poderão ser sustentáveis sem que respeitem as relações da sociedade e se organizem para serem eficientes de modo a gerar maior valor econômico. É fornecida uma visão abrangente e atualizada da questão, identificando os poucos elementos de sustentabilidade existentes bem como as oportunidades para que cada agente revise sua forma de contribuição para o fortalecimento destas cadeias e consequente redução do impacto ambiental deste resíduo. / Wrongly perceived as having no impact on the environment due to its origin, the waste frying oil doesnt seem to have a structured recycling chain. People, industry, and different governmental levels operate on different ways that are not coordinated, therefore, providing a disposal path that could ship this waste to an environmentally correct destination. This study shows the way the recycling chains of cooking vegetable oil are functioning, thus identifying the components for assessing their capacity to stand the test of time and consolidate their sustainability. Departing from a review on sustainability indicators, this study proposes an assessment methodology that was applied to the existing residue recycling chains in the municipalities of Taubaté and São José dos Campos. The chain was described from its sources to the end users even if they were located far from the referred cities. Structured as a qualitative exploratory survey, all types of agents that operate these chains were interviewed and provided their perspectives on the current status and future prospective of this activity. The study shows that the existing waste frying oil recycling chains are few, weak, informal, and rely, frequently, on volunteerism. There is a need for a greater government presence on stimulating and regulating these chains or they will not become sustainable nor respect society rules and relationships, therefore, function as a more organized entity to improve its efficiency and add more value to the chain. An industry perspective was also provided, identifying few existing sustainable characteristics and opportunities for agents to contribute in making these chains stronger, what, in the end, will reduce the environmental impact of this residue.

Biofuels have been used as an energy source for heating and cooking since the beginning of time. However, recent changes in the demand for energy, and in particular, renewable energy, have spurred the growth of liquid biofuel industries in developed countries. Many developing countries, including South Africa have the potential to produce biofuels with benefits extending into the economic and social spheres. Despite government commitments and targets, the South African biodiesel and bio-ethanol industries have stalled in the starting blocks. This research aims to assess the reasons why. South Africa does not have the climate to compete with Brazil in bio-ethanol production and the scope for bioethanol is limited by environmental factors. However our neighbours show significantly more promise in this area. Biodiesel production is more likely to be commercially viable due to the country’s ability to grow oil crops and the need for the by-products. Despite the availability of land for cultivation of energy crops, the required technology and suitable infrastructure, progress has been slow. Uncertainty, high risk and misdirected government interventions have hampered investment in the sector and those involved in biofuel projects are very negative about the government’s ability to stimulate the industry. Consequently, they are looking towards importing feedstock material and exporting the biofuel. This will create a limited number of jobs, but will be energy and carbon negative, and will not aid rural development. Currently there is no medium or large scale virgin oil to biofuel producer operating in the country and the start-up dates for projects are beyond 2013. The WVO biodiesel industry has grown rapidly in the last five years but is limited to small scale operators with limited benefit potential. With the exception of Brazil, other world leaders in biofuels are facing heavy criticism and the mechanisms used to initially boost the industry have very limited application in South Africa. The benefits of biofuel production in South Africa are plentiful and align well with social need and development goals. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Biofuels have been used as an energy source for heating and cooking since the beginning of time. However, recent changes in the demand for energy, and in particular, renewable energy, have spurred the growth of liquid biofuel industries in developed countries. Many developing countries, including South Africa have the potential to produce biofuels with benefits extending into the economic and social spheres. Despite government commitments and targets, the South African biodiesel and bio-ethanol industries have stalled in the starting blocks. This research aims to assess the reasons why. South Africa does not have the climate to compete with Brazil in bio-ethanol production and the scope for bioethanol is limited by environmental factors. However our neighbours show significantly more promise in this area. Biodiesel production is more likely to be commercially viable due to the country’s ability to grow oil crops and the need for the by-products. Despite the availability of land for cultivation of energy crops, the required technology and suitable infrastructure, progress has been slow. Uncertainty, high risk and misdirected government interventions have hampered investment in the sector and those involved in biofuel projects are very negative about the government’s ability to stimulate the industry. Consequently, they are looking towards importing feedstock material and exporting the biofuel. This will create a limited number of jobs, but will be energy and carbon negative, and will not aid rural development. Currently there is no medium or large scale virgin oil to biofuel producer operating in the country and the start-up dates for projects are beyond 2013. The WVO biodiesel industry has grown rapidly in the last five years but is limited to small scale operators with limited benefit potential. With the exception of Brazil, other world leaders in biofuels are facing heavy criticism and the mechanisms used to initially boost the industry have very limited application in South Africa. The benefits of biofuel production in South Africa are plentiful and align well with social need and development goals. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.