The Biofuels Debate

Envirochild does not promote biofuels as a solution to our dependence on fossil fuel for our vehicles.

The bio-bakkie initiative is a temporary alternative until electric vehicles (which could be powered by electricity from renewable energy, or currently wasted surplus electricity in the early hours of the morning) are made available at affordable prices.

Bicycles also remain the most energy-efficient form of transport ever invented.

There is a limited supply of used cooking oil in Cape Town which could never fuel all the diesel vehicles on our roads.

Planting of crops specifically for producing bio fuels competes with the production of food for people (driving up food prices) and/or results in the loss of diverse ecosystems if land is cleared for biofuel crops.

Biofuels are also not carbon negative as they require energy for their manufacture including inputs such as methanol.

They do typically reduce carbon emissions by 40 – 78% compared to conventional fuels
 
.

 

Envirochild Endorsed Project  

Biobakkie service to reduce your CO2 footprint

What?
1 ton bakkie and trailer for all transport needs:

  • Garden waste removed to recycling centre
  • Furniture, appliances and goods moved
  • Building rubble removal
  • Towing of horse trailers
  • Delivery of compost



Bio Bakkie with materials for recycling

Where?
Hout Bay and greater Cape Town Metropole

When?
All hours, R50 surcharge before 4:30 or after 21:30

How much?
R60 or 60 Talents/minute plus R2.50/km.
Pay-per-minute system – there is no minimum charge.
The pay per minute system is an incentive for the client to make arrangements and prepare cargo in advance and thus minimize time costs for the bakkie and driver.

The average cost to move a large load of garden waste from Hout Bay to the recycling depot in Constantia is R190.

Includes driver and canopy and/or trailer if needed (no extra charge).
R15/hour if extra muscle power needed for heavy items. 

Environmental Benefits

  • 39% reduction in carbon emissions (for B50 blend i.e half biodiesel, half conventional diesel).
  • 50% reduction in sulphur emissions from the tailpipe (which causes acid rain)
  • Significant reductions in particulates (32%), carbon monoxide (25%) and aromatic hydrocarbon emissions: 28% (benzofluoranthene); 35% (Benzopyrenes) for B50 blend.
  • The money spent on biodiesel stays in the Western Cape economy rather than going overseas (where it tends to fuel war in the Middle East) or to African oil producers such as Angola, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea (where it feeds into corruption, social and environmental injustice and conflict), or to South Africa’s SASOL which is a major polluter and emits very high amounts of CO2 in its coal to fuel process.
  • Used cooking oil is removed from the food cycle i.e. it cannot be filtered and resold to poor people, a practice which has serious health effects. When cooking oil is repeatedly heated to high temperatures is converted to a trans-fat, which cannot be digested by the human body and is thus deposited around internal organs. Trans-fats have also been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and cancer.
     


Bio-bakkie with stable waste for composting

 Contact Details

 Banking details to confirm Bio-bakkie bookings:  

Capitec Bank, Code 470010, Acc 1177006772

 

Driveway with two upright wooden railway sleepers
next to Four Seasons Farm “Just done it”.

Also bring your
used cooking oil
for recycling
minimum quantity 2 litres
 unless buying biodiesel

© Envirochild 2008
 an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to finding and developing a sustainable future for Hout Bay

Together, we can find a better way !