Restaurants refueling bus

A bus that runs on recycled vegetable oil has been crisscrossing the country to raise awareness about alternative energy sources. The bus, which features a converted diesel engine designed to run on the recycled oil, has logged over 50,000 miles so far visiting nearly 200 colleges, universities, high schools and retail sites. Along the way, it stops at restaurants and dining halls to fill up the fuel tanks and everybody is glad to contribute their used cooking oil, according to drivers.

Sponsored by New Hampshire-based organic yogurt supplier, Stonyfield Farm (www.stonyfield.com), the “Creating a Climate for Change Tour” is a National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) initiative (www.nols.edu). The onboard refrigerators full of yogurt and smoothie samples are also powered by an alternative energy source --- solar power.

According to NOLS marketing director, Bruce Palmer, Stonyfield Farm is “leading a revolution in American business, demonstrating that sustainable business practices aren’t just a theory, they are practical and profitable.” The current tour began on October 1 and is scheduled to continue for two years.