Queen Creek Partners With Town Of Gilbert In Turkey Grease Drive

In an effort to reduce air pollution and sewage waste during the holiday season, the Town of Queen Creek is partnering with the Town of Gilbert in working with REV Biodiesel to collect used waste oils and grease during its third annual Turkey Grease Drive. Residents may dispose of their used cooking grease at collection barrels at any Gilbert fire station from now through Sunday, Jan. 8. Gilbert-based REV Biodiesel will then convert the used grease into a biodegradable, non-toxic alternative fuel known as biodiesel at its processing plant.

"The grease produced from our holiday dinners is something we typically pay little attention to," said Dan Rees, president of REV Biodiesel. "However, instead of clogging our town sewers and adding stress to our water systems, the cooking oils and fats from those meals can be nearly 100 percent recycled into clean, biodegradable alternative fuel. Biodiesel not only fuels vehicles, but also helps to decrease air pollution and cuts down the amount of grease that clogs our sewer systems, avoiding costly repairs to the Town and its residents."

In 2010, East Valley residents donated 11,032 pounds of used cooking oil during the grease drive, tripling the amount donated in 2009. As a clean biodiesel fuel, this recycled grease reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 23,000 pounds, which would be the equivalent of filling the tanks of more than 24 standard-sized school buses with pure biodiesel fuel.

Cooking oil and grease should not be disposed of in the sewer system, or put into the trash and recycling carts. Residents can avoid a costly and messy clean-up by utilizing the convenient drop-off locations.

For those interested in participating in the program, Gilbert fire station drop-off locations include:

- Fire Station 1: 2730 E. Williams Field Road
- Fire Station 2: 2855 E. Guadalupe Road
- Fire Station 3: 1011 E. Guadalupe Road
- Fire Station 4: 909 E. Ray Road
- Fire Station 5: 3630 E. Germann Road
- Fire Station 6: 3595 E. Warner Road
- Fire Station 7: 215 N. Cooper Road
- Fire Station 8: 1095 E. Germann Road
- Fire Station 11: 2860 E. Riggs Road

For more information, visit Gilbert's website at www.gilbertaz.gov/pw/recycling.cfm  .