Ithaca Biodiesel Cooperative

Did you make a new year’s resolution to contribute to a more resilient and sustainable local economy? Of course you did! Lucky for you, we’re pretty committed to the same things, starting right here with biodiesel in our own community. We also like to help each other out a little bit, too, so if you’re in the market for a more fuel efficient car that can be fueled by a waste, then make 2012 the year of biodiesel and start your search right here.

According to the seller, this 1998 VW Beetle TDI runs pretty well and gets 50 miles per gallon. Give her a loving home in the new year and start driving the good stuff.

We believe that our cooperative can have an impact on the world, and we look forward to starting an even greater ripple effect of alterantive fuel and energy in and out of our community as we prepare to set up a great new shop. Not only do we think that biodiesel can make a difference, we know that being a cooperative allows us to be part of a necessary movement to shift economic power to local, democrative companies. Supporting us supports you!

Hear what political economist Gar Alperovitz has to say about worker owned cooperatives on Democracy Now!

Support Ithaca Biodiesel Cooperative at a screening of a new, local documentary! From our friends over at Empowered:

“Wednesday, December 7, 7-9pm
Cinemapolis, 120 E. Green St., Ithaca, NY
Tickets are $10, $8 for IGBA and Sustainable Tompkins members

Join us for an encore Ithaca screening featuring tabling by local sustainability groups and renewable energy installers. Since our community sneak peek screening at the end of September, we have refined the film and added lots of animations so even you’ve seen it, there’s lot’s of new stuff to check out!

The screening will be followed by a special “Women Power” panel discussion including director Shira Golding Evergreen and some of the local innovators featured in the film – Gay Nicholson of Sustainable Tompkins, McKenzie Jones Rounds of Ithaca Biodiesel, Gwendolyn Barr of Weaver Wind Energy, Annie Koreman of Sierra Club Finger Lakes Group and Lexie Hain of Enfield Energy and Snug Planet.”

We hope to see you there!

We hope that you’re all enjoying this lovely time of year. The weather in Ithaca is finally starting to feel appropriate  (60 at the end of November – climate change, anyone?) and we’re sending out wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season filled with loving family, yummy food, and renewable energy!

Just a reminder that if you’ve got some extra cooking grease lying around from all of your holiday feastivities, send it on over to us! We’ll filter it into road- or home-ready oil for converted vehicles and furnaces, and then when we’ve moved into our new space and are up and running again, it can become biodiesel. Whatever you do, DO NOT put your used cooking oil down the drain. It can clog your pipes and even cause sewers to back up, so that’s gross. Recycle your grease, your plumber will thank you.

Mmm, plant-based, non-petroleum oil – the gift that keeps on giving.