We have taken several measures here at Mendo Maté to reduce our impact on the
planet. Mendo Maté is committed to working with Organic Farmers and other
creators of organic products to make organics more accessible to people who want
the benefits of a healthy life. We also work to promote the health of our
environment through partnerships with like-minded organizations. Environmental
responsibility and community awareness are of paramount importance to us. We are
proud to run our business in a way that respects the planet and the people with
whom we share it. How?
- We use B99 Biodiesel in our distribution trucks(99% Bio and 1% Diesel)
- We profusely recycle
- We believe in green office practices - from recycled paper products to
cleaning products
- We donate thousands of dollars each year to schools, wellness fairs,
environmental organizations, and community groups
As an Organic Energy Drink company the decision to fuel our delivery trucks
with biodiesel, a clean-burning alternative fuel made from soy or vegetable oil,
was a natural one. No pun intended.
Rudolf Diesel originally designed the diesel engine to run on vegetable-based
oils with the added benefit of developing agriculture in the areas in which it
was produced. The diesel engine design has since been modified--or
appropriated--in order for it to support petroleum-based diesel fuel.
Biodiesel can be made from either recycled or virgin vegetable oils produced
from domestic renewable resources. Its use has the potential to provide a
profitable crop for our nations farmers.
We are grateful that the option to use biodiesel is even available to us, thanks
to the growing number of BioFuel companies in Northern California. It just goes
to show that once people are presented with options that enable socially and
environmentally-responsible decisions, positive changes are bound to ensue.
WHAT IS BIODIESEL?
Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel produced from domestic renewable
resources, usually soybeans. Using biodiesel may eliminate dependence on foreign
oil along with the environmental and social impacts associated with using it.
HOW IS BIODIESEL MADE?
Biodiesel fuel can be made from new or used vegetable oils and animal fats,
which are non-toxic, biodegradable, renewable resources. Fats and oils react
with alcohol (methanol is the usual choice) to produce chemical compounds known
as fatty acid methyl esters. Biodiesel is the name given to these esters when
they are intended for use as fuel. Glycerol is produced as a by-product, which
can be made into soap, cosmetic products, and pharmaceuticals.
WHY USE BIODIESEL?
• Biodiesel is the most cost-effective alternative fuel available, as it
requires no engine modifications or special parts. It can simply be put into the
fuel tank of a diesel engine as-is. It can also be mixed with regular
petrodiesel.
• It is also the safest of alternative fuels, as it has a very high flash point.
• The use of biodiesel significantly reduces the amount of emissions that
contribute to ozone and smog. These emissions also cause acid rain, cancer, and
respiratory diseases. It is ten times less toxic than table salt and biodegrades
as fast as sugar.
• Biodiesel has 80% less carbon dioxide emissions than petrodiesel.
• Carbon monoxide emissions are an average 44% lower than petrodiesel.
• When using pure biodiesel (B100), the cancer risk of diesel exhaust is reduced
by 94%, and by 27% when using a biodiesel blend (B20-20% biodiesel, 80%
petroleum-based diesel).
• The smog-forming potential is nearly 50% less than petroleum-based diesel.
• For every one unit needed to produce biodiesel, 3.24 units of energy are
gained-the highest energy balance of any fuel.
• The scent has been compared to that of french fries.
EFFECT ON ENGINE:
• Engines that run on biodiesel generally idle more smoothly and accelerate more
smoothly than with petroleum-based diesel.
• Has significantly higher lubricity than petrodiesel, which extends engine
life.
• It is recommended that fuel lines be flushed to eliminate sediment, and fuel
filters should be changed frequently at the beginning. For pre-1986 vehicles,
rubber fuel hoses may need to be replaced with modern synthetic ones.
• Due to its solvent properties, painted surfaces should be wiped clean of
biodiesel.
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