Footprint Recycling is Humboldt County’s only locally owned and operated WVO collection agency. We provide clients with a clean and aesthetic container for storage of used WVO, and service the container regularly or on demand, to meet your business needs.
Footprint Provides WVO collection services to over 100 businesses from Mendocino to Southern Oregon. We understand that each of our clients have unique needs, and we have customized our business plan to accomodate everyone. Because it is essential to our recycling operations that we collect clean oil with a minimum of contaminants, we provide our clients with a storage container at no cost.

Collection schedules are negotiable and flexible. Footprint Recycling employs a dedicated staff who are considerate of your business needs.

Methyl Esters (Biodiesel)

Biodiesel is the common name for methyl esters. Footprint ’s biodiesel is made from waste vegetable oils collected from Humboldt county kitchens. The WVO is put through a process called transesterification which breaks down the viscosity and increases the flammability of the oil. The result is a fuel that can be used in any diesel engine without engine modifications.

Pure biodiesel (B100) can be put directly into any diesel engine or can be splash blended in any ratio with petroleum diesel. Any diesel engine, including those in heavy equipment, passenger vehicles, and diesel generators can run on any ratio of biodiesel.

Biodiesel is a natural solvent and will eventually break up any deposits left in the fuel system by petroleum diesel, and will not allow further deposits to accrue. Biodiesel’s increased lubricity will extend the life of a diesel engine and will ensure the endurance of engine performance. Engines running on biodiesel will require an accelerated fuel filter maintenance schedule. Regular fuel filter service will insure proper engine performance.

The U.S. Envioronmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy recognize biodiesel to significantly reduce six of the seven criteria pollutants affecting air quality. Biodiesel is non-toxic, 100% biodegradable, safer in handling and storage than petroleum diesel and a renewable resource derived from local waste.

We randomly post write-ups, tutorials, thoughts and ideas, and general musings under our Blog Page. This is new and experimental, so check back often and feel free to leave comments and feedback.
You can browse through our Blog Categories to see our latest postings.

Footprint Recycling, located in Arcata, CA, is committed to providing locally-produced Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO) based biodiesel to local diesel engine operators. Footprint believes that remanufacturing a local WVO into an alternative to diesel fuel - biodiesel - is a sustainable, community-based model for an ecologically-oriented business. Footprint applies the appropriate technology ethos of minimizing the impact - the ecological footprint - of human development to the biofuels and grease rendering industries.

Footprint’s Vision
Footprint began with a vision to provide Humboldt County with a locally owned and operated service that turns a waste product into commodities that benefit Humboldt communities. Footprint has developed a unique process for collecting and chemically changing Waste Vegetable Oil into a variety of products. Footprint turns WVO into diesel fuel, industrial grade hand cleanser, and industrial solvent. Footprint continues to seek innovative ways to turn a Humboldt waste product into a benefit to Humboldt residents.
Footprint Recycling incorporates a philisophy of re-use and ingenuity into all operations. More than 70% of Footprint’s equipment is salvage from scrap yards and dumps. Footprint takes pride in removing eye-sores from the community and customizing them into effective equipment at Footprint Recycling.

Local Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO) Collection
Footprint Recycling is Humboldt County’s only locally owned and operated Waste Vegetabl Oil collection agency. Footprint Recycling provides a clean, safe, and aesthetic tank for the disposal of restaurant generated WVO.
Methyl Esters (Biodiesel)
It is important to note there are mandatory steps needed to process the methyl esters and refine them into fuel-ready biodiesel. They must reach specific fuel characteristics before they can be used as fuel (see ASTM chart):
Collected WVO is heated, filtered, and reacted with a solution of methanol and sodium hydroxide. The resulting mixture is methyl esters (unrefined biodiesel). Once refined, our biodiesel is non-toxic, bio-degradable, and beign, which can be combusted in any diesel engine without modifications. Further, Footprint Recycling processes its fuel 1 more time to lower cloud point temperatures. Our biodiesel is “winterized” and can be combusted at lower temperatures than much of the currently available commercial biodiesel.

Glycerin
The remaining of the reacted mixture is approximately 85% pure crude glycerin. Footprint Recycling processes this material into an industrial strength hand cleanser and is currently marketing the product to automotive mechanics. Footprint Recycling is researching and constructing a still to concentrate the glycerin for sale to local soap makers.

We are located at 4701 West End Road in Arcata, California. You can reach Footprint Recycling during normal business hours at
707.826.2606
or after hours at
707.845.5697
or by e-mail at info@footprintrecycling.com

4701 West End Road, Arcata

Footprint Recycling is Humboldt County’s only locally owned and operated WVO collection agency. We provide clients with a clean and aesthetic container for storage of used WVO, and service the container regularly or on demand, to meet your business needs.

Footprint Provides WVO collection services to over 100 businesses from Mendocino to Southern Oregon. We understand that each of our clients have unique needs, and we have customized our business plan to accomodate everyone. Because it is essential to our recycling operations that we collect clean oil with a minimum of contaminants, we provide our clients with a storage container at no cost. Collection schedules are negotiable and flexible. Footprint Recycling employs a dedicated staff who are considerate of your business needs.

---

110 gallons

Our 240-gallon and 110-gallon exterior tanks are aesthetic containers equipped with a filter basket and lockable, all-weather lids. They are heavy enough to deter tampering and provide ample storage for kitchens using large quantities of vegetable oil.

240 gallons

55 gallons

Our 55-gallon interior drum easily fits inside and is equipped with a non-locking, clamp down lid.

---

WVO Drop-Off Locations Members of the community are welcome to recycle their WVO with us. We accept WVO at three convenient locations: Footprint Recycling 4701 West End Road, Arcata Arcata Community Recycling Center 1380 Ninth Street, Arcata The Eureka Community Recycling Center 1059 West Hawthorne Street, Eureka

---

Other rendering services:
In order to provide a complete rendering service for your busness, Footprint Recycling will service your grease traps and remove any butcher scraps or tallow your business generates.

The Footprint Recyclingcrew is a highly motivated group of Humboldt State University graduates who are dedicated to taking the initiative in responsible, appropriate business practices. The Footprint team is innovative and responsive in meeting the demands of a growing client list and a growing demand for WVO based biodiesel.

Andrew Cooper, President & CFO cell: 707.845.5697 Andrew graduated from Humboldt State University in 2000 with a degree in Environmental Technology at Humboldt State University. Andrew is currently completing an M.S. in Environmental Systems Engineering at HSU. Andrew helped pioneer the biodiesel program at HSU’s Campus Center For Appropritae Technology, and is deeply appreciative of the help he has received from CCAT and HSU.

Michael Koger (”McGuyver”), Industrial Technician cell: 407-7313 Michael has held a long standing fascination with biodiesel. He is excited about Footprint Recycling because it appeals to his personal goals of supporting the local economy while solving energy and environmental issues confronting our society. Mr. Koger graduated from Humboldt State University in 2005 with a degree in Industrial Technology. He specializes in the customizing and maintenance of our biodiesel manufacturing system.

Todd Frisbee, Production Manager Todd graduated from Humboldt State University in 2000 with a degree in Geography. Todd is excited to be a part of a company that is taking action toward fueling our community with a renewable resource and appropriate technology. Todd heads fuel production at Footprint Recycling. Go ultimate-frisbee!