Would you like fries with that?

 
Would you like fries with that?

It smells like fish and chips, creates jobs, saves money and reduces the carbon footprint.
 
An innovative Waiheke trust is harnessing the waste left by the huge number of visitors to the island by converting used cooking oil into bio-fuels.
 
Auckland Mayor Dick Hubbard will today launch the Waiheke Resource Trusts bio-diesel plant, the latest in a series of innovations by the community owned organisation.
 
Trust spokesperson John Stansfield says the trust is showing how good environmental practices can be both economically and socially successful.
 
"Disposing of the oil was a real headache for us, now its an asset.
 
"This plant will eventually process up to 30,000 litres of oil a year. This will reduce the amount of fuel imported by the Island, it will save money and create jobs.
 
"People have this idea that being green is all about sacrifice and hardship. We think its about being innovative and  creative. It's fun, it drives the development of new technology and it creates jobs." 
 
Mr Stansfield says the plant is just one example of the type of project the trust does. Last month it won an award from the NZ Packaging Council for its plans to turn a growing mountain of waste glass into roading materials.
 
"We also hold an annual recycling festival which involves about 1,000 of the 8,000 residents in funky events like using recycled materials in a wearable arts competion and a shopping dolly synchronised marching team with costumes made from recycled shopping bags.
 
The trust worked with a University of Auckland engineering students through the Engineering Projects in the Community scheme to research the bio-diesel project and the project is part of a long-term strategy to become the centre for island and remote communities sustainable development. It is in discussions with several Pacific Islands about transfers of the technology developed for Waiheke.
 
"We are showing that it is possible turn waste into jobs and save the planet at the same time," says Mr Stansfield.
 
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