Waste Disposal Company Awarded Hokkaido New Energy Prize

Sarabetsu Kigyo Ltd., a company engaged in industrial and residential waste disposal in Hokkaido, northern Japan, won the FY 2006 Hokkaido New Energy Grand Prize for its outstanding achievements in promoting energy conservation and the development and introduction of new energy sources, based on Hokkaido's "Municipal Ordinance to Promote Energy Conservation and the Use of New Energy."

The company's Eco-Project succeded in establishing a system for efficiently recycling old cooking oil used for making deep-fried tempura from both households and businesses into bio-diesel fuel (BDF). They sell the BDF and use it in their company vehicles as an alternative to diesel. The volume produced amounts to 9000 liters per month, at a price 5 to 15 yen lower per liter than diesel.

This is the first effort of its kind in Eastern Hokkaido, and the company is working to develop ways to keep the oil sufficiently liquid in mid-winter. This effort was highly valued and helped Sarabetsu Kigyo win the prize. The company has been examining the possibility of experimentally growing rapeseed for oil and building a local energy recycling system, which could also help revitalize the community.



Posted: 2007/06/25 10:16:20 AM
Japanese version