As the world becomes more educated on the environmental impact of the choices we make every day, it’s important to look for ways to make positive changes wherever possible. For some, that might be avoiding single-use plastics or committing to making more sustainable choices for workplace purchases. More and more people are also turning to alternatives to petroleum-based fuels, such as renewable fuel, for their personal and commercial vehicles. If you’re considering making the move to a cleaner fuel source, SeQuential offers everything you need to know about renewable fuel emissions, production, and more.
Understanding Renewable Fuel
Many have heard the term renewable fuel, but some still don’t know what this alternative fuel is. Renewable fuel is an alternative fuel that is non-toxic and biodegradable. In the U.S., most renewable fuel is created using a fat source like soybean oil, but any type of vegetable oil or animal fats can also be used. At SeQuential, we produce high-quality renewable fuel from used cooking oil collected from restaurants, commercial kitchens, and other foodservice businesses throughout the Pacific Northwest. Our process of creating clean, sustainable fuel is a welcome change from petroleum, which is refined from crude oil.
Renewable fuel is considered a carbon-neutral fuel. This means that the carbon dioxide that is emitted during its creation and use is essentially offset by the carbon dioxide that is absorbed by the plants used to make it. In fact, testing has demonstrated that the carbon footprint of Neste’s renewable fuel is up to 85% smaller than that of petroleum diesel. The result is a renewable form of energy that substantially reduces the environmental harm inflicted by traditional fuel sources for vehicles and other diesel-fueled equipment.
Environmental Impact
On top of how it is made, you’ll find that renewable fuel has a much different impact on the environment than traditional petroleum fuel. Renewable fuel burns cleaner than traditional petroleum diesel, which helps your engine work at its highest level and results in considerable greenhouse gas (GHG) benefits.
Renewable fuel combustion releases fewer pollutants into the air. This means that it helps reduce the number of particulates, carbon monoxide, air toxins, hydrocarbons, and sulfur dioxide in the air each time you head out for a drive, or your commercial fleet hits the road.
This impact becomes even clearer when you consider the lifecycle of renewable fuel versus petroleum diesel. The lifecycle emissions account for all of the emissions produced during every stage of a fuel’s life. It calculates the amount emitted during extraction, processing, manufacturing, distribution, use, and disposal or recycling. The lifecycle analysis of the two fuel options, as stated by the Department of Energy, found that when using 100% renewable fuel, emissions were 65% lower than those of traditional petroleum diesel.
Make the Switch Today
When you look at emissions data, it’s easy to see why renewable fuel the right choice for our environment is. At the same time, its benefits for your vehicle, the economy, and our communities are just as compelling. If you’re ready to make the switch to clean, efficient renewable fuel, find a filling station near you. For more information, contact SeQuential online or call 1 (800) 447-3794 to speak with a representative now. We’ll explain everything you need to know about our processes and nearly two decades of commitment to providing the Pacific Northwest with an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum diesel.