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Green & Go Launch

The Cowichan Bio-Diesel Team is excited to announce the openings of its newest Green & Go​™ pump at Cowichan Petroleum Sales. Check back on this website for more info on the upcoming opening.

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Learning About Bio-Diesel

3/27/2018

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This past winter, in collaboration with our community partners at Cowichan Energy Alternatives Society in part of their Community Carbon Smart program, we had the incredible opportunity to host a Cowichan Secondary trades class (grades 9-12) at our Bing's Creek Facility.

It was a great hands-on experience for the students, beginning with a Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) tour of the entire recycling facility and the potential career opportunities they may have within their community. The CVRD tour was followed-up by a Biofuel facility tour lead by CEA's Education Coordinator, Dylan taking the students through the biofuel cycle from the point of when the cooking oil is dropped off to when the biofuel is 
​dispensed through the Green & Go Pump. In addition, students were able to observe a bio-diesel production demonstration (picture on the bottom right) also given by Dylan.  

A big thank-you to our partners at the City of Duncan for making this event possible by providing Cowichan Energy Alternatives with an education grant of $1000 to help increase awareness through education amongst students of local sustainable and alternative energy opportunities.  

CEA offers year-round facility tours and bio-diesel for students and groups. For more information on pricing and tours in general e-mail Dylan, CEA's Education Coordinator . 
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Let's Dance Fundraiser: Album Highlights (03/03/18)

3/6/2018

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Thank-you to everyone who attended our Let's Dance! event this past Saturday, without the support of community members we would not be able to accomplish our mission of decreasing greenhouse gas emissions in the Cowichan Valley. 

Here are some highlights of the evening from the incredible introductions, the auction the bands and the dancing! Once again, thank you to all those who came out and we hope to see you all soon. 
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Alistair MacGregor, Member of Parliament for Cowichan-Malahat Langford, gives opening introductions. 
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Sonia Furstenau, Member of Legislative Assembly gives opening introductions. 
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Brian Roberts, President of the Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-op and Executive Director of Cowichan Energy Alternatives welcomes guests to kick off the event.
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Brian Roberts with Alistair MacGregor and Sonia Furstenau behind. 
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Great audience for our opening introductions. 
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We are so grateful to have so have had so many silent auction items donated to the event - perfect for all ages! 
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Kira Pike from Climate Access with David Minkow and family connecting within The Hub's Cafe. 
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Fantastic to even see some our community members and our incredible Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-op members have such an incredible time.
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Sonia Furstenau taking the time to connect with community members. 
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Thank-you to Alderlea Vineyards for featuring your incredible Plaid wine selection! 
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Johnathan Churcher (not pictured) played incredible opening music for everyone coming in and Genevieve and the Wild Sundays played a fantastic set. 
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The night finished up with a rocking and fun set from the sounds of Bijoux Du Bayou.
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We had such an incredible turnout and we thank everyone who took the time to support us and the work that we do! We look forward to continuing this momentum to helping expand our vision of creating a more resilient Cowichan Valley.
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Silent Auction Features: March 3, 2018

2/28/2018

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Only two days left to our fundraiser event! A big thank-you to all those who have donated to our silent auction and to all of our volunteers for helping organize the evening, we look forward to all the support we receive from our community members this weekend. Our vision of expanding bio-diesel in the Cowichan Valley is that much more closer thanks to all of the community support we have received for this event.  

Interested in finding out what items you can bid for? We've featured all items below! 
Top Silent Auction Features of the Evening ​
Cycle Therapy (Sandy McPherson & Al Philips):
2 Consignment Bikes and Brand New cycle jacket  


Hollyhock Lifelong Learning Centre:
Two Night Holiday for 2 on Cortes Island


Viridian Energy Co-operative:
1 Solar Panel and one installation 

Inn at Laurel point 
Gift Certificate for a Two-Night stay 
Other Featured Donors & Items:  
Red Arrow Brewing: Growler Fill Card 
The Raptors Society: 2 Passes to Raptor's Society Event called 'Close Encounter' 
Alderlea Vineyard: 3 Wine Bottles 
Cherry Point Estate Wines: Farm and Winery Tour for 6 
Robert Cerins: 11 x 14 Giclee Print and a 16 x 20 mat 
Stephanie Cerins: Healing My Heart (book written by Stephanie herself) 
Stephanie Cerins: Gift Certificate to Reflexology/Reiki 
Sutton Creek Spice Blends: Spices Box 
Party Animals: Catnip toy 
Charles Wainman: Garden Gnome 
Botanical Bliss: Rose Hip Face Cream
Craigdarroch Castle: 4 Free Passes 
Royal BC Museum: 2 Passes to Museum (includes IMAX tickets) 
BC Forestry Museum: Family Day Pass 
Guy Marchand: 2 Bottles of Chardonnay 
Excellent Framing: Framing Gift Certificate 
Island Mini Donuts: Gift certificate for catering event (2 hours) 
Cowichan Green Community: Gift Certificiate for their co-op online shopping 
Duncan Garage Cafe and Bakery: Gift Card
Duncan Lanes: Gift Certificate 
Kyla Mortil: Electromagnetic Frequency Inspection 
The Soap Exchange: Gift Basket 
Barbara Sobon: Handel & The Great Italian Tenor CDs 
Barbara Sobon: Saki Set for 2 
Iguana Cycles: Bike Helmet 
Monk Office: Computer Speakers
True Grain Bakery: Gift Basket of Granola 
Barely North Entertainment: Tickets 
Dinter's Nursery: Plant 
Little Bird Gifts: Tiara
Essential Remedies: Mini Bio Mineral Pot (Water Filter) 
Westholme Tea Farm: Gift box (Tea and Gi) 
Bee Alive in the Hive: Gift Certificate to Pro Bee Camp 
Twisted Mug Cafe - 400g of Spirit Bear Coffee (Whole Bean) 
Radway Studio and Boutique - Shopping Basket & Gift Certificate 
Christy Greenwood - Bodywork Gift Certificate 
Kaye Smillie - Ceramic Sculpture of a Mermaid in Yoga Pose 
The Clay Hub Collective - Medium sized ceramic bowl, canister and 2 mugs 
Ten Old Books - Set of Prayer Flags 
Beverlee McLeod - Etching of a Lion 
Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-op: 1 Free Annural Membership + 20L Free of Bio-Diesel (choice of blend) 
Harmony Yoga Center - 2 Week unlimited pass for yoga sessions 
Station Street Cafe - Lunch for 2 (half sandwich and cup of soup) 
Just Jakes - Gift Certificate 
Chrystalline Vortex Pottery Studio - Plate and Bowl 
Sai's Place Spice Cafe - Gift Certificate 
Cherries Ice Cream Parlour - Gift Certificate 
Seaside Computers - Computer Mouse 
Brian Roberts - Bamboo Xylophone Kit 
Maison Preserves Co. - Preserves x 2 
Mercury Players - The Anatomy of Gray, a play by Jim Leonard Jr. 
Duncan Showroom - ShowDough 
Cowichan Cycles - Certificate for a bike tune-up 
Ali Bertin-Ancient Futures - Clothing 
The Fishbowl Cafe - Gift Card 
Jennifer Lawson - Box of Cards 
Rebecca Hazell - Children's Story Book 
Ampersand Distillery - Gin 
David Coulson Design - Gift certificate for customers 
David Martinello - Floating Shelf 
Pipi Home Decor - Tablewear 
Chantelle Foss - 5Rhythms Dance Class 
Bow Mel Chrysler - Oil/Filter Change 
Maple Leaf Kettle Corn - Popcorn 
Lorri Hamilton - Avon Donation 
Tracy Lewis - House Lanterns and Fairy House Village 
Bee Wick'd - Beeswax Candle 
Special Occasions Party Rental and Sales - Account Credit 
Jaz Yamaguchi - Painting 
Brian Roberts and Emily Yamaguchi - Dehyrdrator 
Linda Weech: May Wisdom Flow Art Print
Community Carbon Marketplace - Carbon Offset Credit to carbon neutralize a household or vacation 
Willow and Orchid - Air Plant Garden
Blue Grouse Winery - Gift Certificate 

Other Event Sponsors: 
Kroffat Auto and Brake (event donation) 
Community Carbon Marketplace (donation of carbon credits to make the event carbon neutral) 
Our volunteers for planning, arranging and outreaching for this event! 

Alcohol features from Riot Brewing and Alderlea Vineyard and coffee featured from Coffee on the Moon

Advance tickets are available until end of the day Friday at Cowichan Energy Alternatives Society office (office hours 9am - 4pm, #3-55 Station Street, Duncan B.C.) and Ten Old Books (330 Duncan St., Duncan, B.C.)
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Let’s Dance! Fundraiser Event: March 3, 2018

2/8/2018

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In partnership with our community partners at Cowichan Energy Alternatives invites all to join us at our Let’s Dance! fundraising event on Saturday March 3, featuring live bands Bijoux Du Bayou, Genevieve and the Wild Sundays, and Johnathon Churcher.

All proceeds from the event go toward the building of a new Green & Go™ bio-diesel pump at our Cowichan Petroleum Sales location on Allenby Road. Our vision is to make make bio-diesel more accessible for our co-op and community members in the Cowichan Valley.

In addition to great music, dancing and a local food kiosk, there will be a silent auction, featuring items from BC based businesses, artists and organizations.

Where: The event will take place on Saturday March 3, 2018 at The Hub in Cowichan Station (2375 Kokisilah Rd., Duncan. B.C.).
When: Doors Open 6:30pm
Price: $15 per person, door price $20. Children 12 and under are free.
Tickets can be purchased at the Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-op Office (#3-55 Station Street, Duncan, BC) and Ten Old Books (330 Duncan Street, Duncan, BC).

Know a BC based artist, organization or business that would be a great feature in our silent auction? Contact us! 
Line-Up Times:
7:00pm - 8:00pm: Johnathon Churcher
8:15pm - 9:15pm: Genevieve and the Wild Sundays
9:30pm - 10:30pm: Bijoux Du Bayou
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For more information on the event contact us at [email protected]  ​
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Cold weather and biodiesel

2/14/2017

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Hello Co-op Members,

As you may have noticed, winter is well and truly upon us here in the Cowichan Valley.  Through snow and sleet, the staff at CBDC have worked tirelessly to keep the fuel flowing to our valued members.  However, due to persistent demand, we have been unable to supply all the biodiesel ourselves and had to rely on a partner to top up our tanks.  This imported fuel begins to gel at higher temperatures than we are used to and, while our members are used to being able to fill up with B100 year-round, this year that is not the case.  In fact, we have already run into some trouble with our own fleet vehicles when using B100 on cold mornings.

CBDC staff have taken action to improve the flow properties and combustibility of our fuels at cold temperatures, but there are still a few things you should be aware of.  

1. To ensure your biodiesel vehicle or equipment will start every time, while still enjoying the benefits of biofuels, we recommend switching to B50 (a 50% biodiesel:diesel blend) or B20 (20% biodiesel in diesel) when the temperature falls bellow freezing.  These blends are less resistant to gelling and have improved cold-flow properties compared to B100.  

2. We have already made B50 available to our members at the CPS location on Allenby Rd. and B50 and B20 are always available at the Bing's Creek location on Drinkwater Rd.  We have disabled the B100 option at CPS because the cold, thick fuel has a detrimental effect on our pumps.

3. Depending on your preferred blend, filling time may be affected - especially in the early morning, and the low flow rate can cause automatic shut-off nozzles to over-fill.  We recommend not leaving the pump unattended while fueling.  

4. The price of our B20 blend is only about 10% higher than the current price of fossil diesel, meaning you don't have to spend a lot to make a big difference to the environment!

Thank you for supporting the Cowichan Biodiesel Co-op, if you have any questions, comments or concerns please don't hesitate to email to Alannah ([email protected]) or call or visit our office at Unit 1, 55 Station St in Duncan, (250) 748-2694.  We hope to see you around the pump!
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A local solution to a global environmental scandal

10/5/2015

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What’s a Volkswagen Owner to Do?
 
So now we know: Volkswagen cheated on its vehicle emissions tests and this may apply to other vehicle manufacturers.   What should not be news is that all cars pollute if they’re being run on petroleum-based fuels.  Even the ones that pass emissions testing are still releasing greenhouse gases and toxins to the atmosphere.  With this recent news, now we just know that some cars pollute more than we previously thought.
 
Of all the questions that have been asked about the Volkswagen scandal – who, what, when, how, and why – the most important one is: What can we do about it?
 
If you can afford an electric vehicle you can drive almost emissions free - if you’re certain the electricity you use to charge your car is coming from renewable sources.  
 
But what can you do if you can’t change your car? 
 
Change your FUEL!
 
The Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-op (CB-DC) has been supplying 100% renewable biodiesel made from recycled cooking oil as a petro-diesel alternative since 2005. Biodiesel offers well-documented environmental, mechanical and human health benefits; it reduces CO2 and other harmful emissions to the atmosphere and our lungs, including an 80% to 90% reduction in PAHs and other carcinogens. 
 
And for Volkswagen owners asking themselves what to do next, biodiesel is a “drop-in” fuel that can be used now in existing diesel vehicles with little or no modifications needed.
 
Finally, a fuel to feel good about! 
 
The CB-DC is working to increase access to sustainably-produced, low-carbon biofuels through the growing BC Biofuel Network. The BCBN is powered by biofuel producers, distributors, waste cooking oil recyclers like Greasecycle and the local restaurants they collect from, supporters like Vancity and Coastal Communities Credit Union, and of course the most important part of the solution – people who make a real difference by using biofuels.  These change-agents can be found at a local biofuel Co-op near you – in the Cowichan Valley, Victoria and Vancouver.
 
To find out how you can replace your polluting exhaust with the smell of French fries, visit the CB-DC website at:  www.smellbetter.org

Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-op
Fuel to Feel Good About!

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                                 Cowichan Bio-diesel Co-op is now at                                                                  the Cowichan Farmers Market!

7/27/2015

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     The Cowichan Bio-diesel Co-op will now be attending the Cowichan Farmers Market for the rest of the Market Season, (October 28th). The market is located at 2300 University Way, Duncan, held from 4:00 until 6:30 pm every Wednesday. For more information on the farmers market visit: www.cowichanfarmersmarket.ca. 

    We will be informing the local citizens about the role the Cowichan Bio-diesel Co-op plays in their local community. We will also be selling 20.0L jugs of Bio-diesel for $30.00 each 1.0L bottles of Diesel Conditioner for $5.00 each. The conditioner is used to ease your vehicle into using bio-diesel or as an amendment to increase fuel lubricity for small moving parts. 
    Some of our recently developed products include a 250mL bottle of oil-igarchy sold for $4.00 and a 500mL bottle sold for $ 8.00. This is a general purpose lubricant used for lubricating hand tools, drill presses, displacing water, etc. Additionally we are selling Bio-solve for $10.00 a general purpose solvent used to remove paint, asphalt, crayon, rubber, and adhesive residue. Un-B-Lube-Able is being sold for $6.00 and is used as a bio-lubricant to loosen rusty parts, ease use of key and combo locks, lubricate lathes, drill presses, hand tools, and as a honing oil for sharpening knives and scissors. The Anti-Grease sold in 4.0L jugs for $15.00, is used to clean dirt and grime from engine parts and tools and can only be used with metal parts, fittings, and tools. The most recently developed product is Naked Soap sold for $5.00. It is a liquid hand soap made from locally sourced renewable materials, primarily recycled canola oil. We have two types of scents, lavender and cedar wood derived from essential oils. 

We hope to have both our existing and new members come out to visit and to also meet some new people! 

Thanks!
Michelle York
Cowichan Bio-diesel Co-operative


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FUNdraiser for Cowichan Bio-Diesel Coop & Miles Phillips

5/8/2014

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PictureMiles Phillips (left) with his wife Angela (right) and his two lovely girls
When we first moved to the Cowichan Valley some 8 years ago, we were driving a little Jetta that ran on bio-diesel. It wasn’t long before we had bought a diesel van that had been converted to run on veggie oil (to meet the needs of our expanding family) and had joined the Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-op (the Co-op or CB-DC) to support locally produced, sustainable biofuels. Living, as many of us do here in the Valley, on a rural property, means long drives to get to Duncan, school, and services, and running our vehicle on altrrnative fuel helps ease the guilty conscience that comes with lots of driving. To date, the Co-op together with its supporting partner the Cowichan Energy Alternatives Society (CEA) has prevented over 800 tonnes of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere by supplying the community with its recycled cooking oil biofuels.

At the best of times it’s not easy running a social enterprise focused on sustainable solutions, not profit. Then last summer I heard that the offices of the Co-op and CEA were broken into. Not just once, but five times, despite repeated requests from the tenants to make the building more secure. The CB-DC offices suffered the loss of thousands of dollars in stolen property and damages. “Our insurance had a $1000 deductible for each break-in and did not insure personal property so in the end we were not reimbursed for anything- it was a complete loss” says Brian Roberts, Co-op President.

In November, CEA was denied the essential Gaming Grant funding on which it relies for delivering their programs, leaving them without core funding. Nearly six months after sending a request to review the decision, CEA has still not received an answer from the Province. Then at the start of the new year the Co-op’s biofuel pump broke down which forced closure and expensive equipment repairs of the Co-op’s biofuels pump located. This left the Co-op without the much-needed biofuel distribution pump at Cowichan Petroleum Services, and the loss of its main source of revenue for several months.
After hearing about these difficulties I began brainstorming about organizing a fundraiser to help out the struggling organization. When I shared my ideas with Brian from the Co-op, he requested that we also extend the fundraiser to include a family in need.

With the unexpected and tragic death of Miles Phillips, the timing of a fundraiser could not be more appropriate. Philips, who was the financial manager of CEA and CB-DC, has left behind a wife and two daughters now coping with grief and in serious financial difficulties. The Co-op is already supporting a campaign to raise money for the family.

You can donate on-line at: hhttp://www.smellbetter.org/1/post/2014/03/fundraising-for-miles-phillips-family.html

In the spirit of giving, there will be a community dance event taking place May 31st at the HUB in Cowichan Station, 5pm-11pm. There will live music from Bijou de Bayou, Paradigm Shifters, the Twisted Vine String Band and more, a silent auction, food, beverages and kids activities. Proceeds will be split between the family of Miles Phillips, and the Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-op. We are suggesting a donation of $25 at the door, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds or for donating more!

It’s not every community that is blessed with its own locally produced, sustainable biofuel service as we are here in Cowichan. Let’s keep our Co-op going, and providing the essential service it does, and help out a struggling family at the same time.

Come demonstrate your support and the resilience of our Cowichan community! See you there!

Blog Post Submitted By:
Genevieve Charbonneau
[email protected]
http://twistedvinefarm.ca



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Fundraising for Miles Phillips' family

3/29/2014

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PictureMiles Phillip's with his family in Europe in 2013
To all Co-op members,supporters and friends,

As most of you know, Miles Phillips was killed in a tragic car crash on January 23 leaving behind his wife and two daughters.  Miles worked with the Co-op and contributed to many other local social enterprises, including our partners CEA and Greasecycle. The pursuit of environmental and social purposes is not always an easy or profitable one, and Miles’s family is currently in great need of financial help.  If you can find it in your heart to contribute something to the family you can do so by going to the link below.
 


Thanks so much from all of us at the Co-op.  
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Winter is here! Biodiesel Cold Flow Issues and Solutions

12/11/2013

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As a result of the abnormally cold conditions over the last week we’ve been experiencing unprecedented cold-flow issues with biodiesel.  At this time of year we strongly recommend lowering your biodiesel ratio to B50 at most – meaning that you must mix your biodiesel with at least 50% regular diesel to ensure the fuel continues to flow well in the winter months.  In past years, those most die-hard Co-op members (myself included!) who have decided to use B100 (100% biodiesel) anyway have still been able to use 100 percent biodiesel without significant cold flow issues.  That is not the case this year.

While we typically have not had issues in past winters with our fuel, this year demand for our biofuel has been outpacing our ability to supply all the biodiesel from our own Co-op micro-brew facility at Bings Creek.  As a result we have had to bring in additional supplies from partner biodiesel producers which have not had the same degree of cold-flow tolerance as the biodiesel we produce ourselves.  This, along with an abnormally cold spell, has resulted in greater cold flow issues than normally experienced.

As a result, the cardlock pump at CPS has been shut down to prevent members from filling up with B100 during these cold conditions.  The reason is two-fold:  First, we need to make sure we protect you from the risk that your vehicle may not run when temperature drop below freezing.  Next, we have to ensure we do not damage some very expensive pumps at the Co-op’s cardlock at CPS if the biodiesel gets too thick and over-strains the equipment.  Unfortunately, this option does not help us continue to offer you the biodiesel you joined the Co-op for.
There is another option:  to temporarily change the biodiesel ratio at the cardlock to a B50 blend.  This solves two problems at once:  It ensures our members have no risk of accidentally using too high a ratio that leaves their vehicle stranded if the temperature drops too low again, and; it ensures that we can keep the pump open without the risk of a Co-op member inadvertently damaging the pump by using it during another cold snap. Winter maintenance at CPS revealed some technical challenges with the pump and we will let our valued members know as soon as the pump is back up and running.  

After careful consideration of the options, the Co-op board and staff have decided to temporarily change the blend from B100 to B50 at our cardlock on Allenby Road. Once we are safely out of this cold weather, we will again offer the pure biodiesel option.  I welcome any feedback on your experiences with the biodiesel during this cold period and on the Co-op’s decision to offer a B50 blend at this time.

As is out tradition during the holiday season, we will be having a Co-op member social before Christmas where you will have an opportunity to share your thoughts with the board and staff, and to hear ours as well.  We will also be going over the year in review and discussing the course for the Co-op’s future.  Please keep an eye on your inbox for the invitation!

Best wishes for the season,

Brian Roberts, President, 

Cowichan Biodiesel Co-op

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    CB-DC’s waste oil is collected from local restaurants using vegetable oil. They are part of our Eat Better Locations program. It’s a win-win situation, because when we EAT BETTER, our vehicles SMELL BETTER. 

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