Sirona Fuels and Sirona Cares Launch Sirona Cares for Schools

San Francisco, CA – June 21, 2010 – Sirona Fuels, owner of the Blue Sky Bio-Fuels biodiesel refinery in Oakland, and the Sirona Cares Foundation, a San Francisco-based non-profit, have launched the Sirona Cares for Schools program. This program invites local restaurants to donate used cooking oil for biodiesel production.  The oil donated to Sirona Cares will be recycled into biodiesel and 20% of sale price for the resulting biodiesel will be donated to local schools and other eligible organizations that support children.  One of the founding principles of Sirona Fuels is to give back to the community; with the launch of Sirona Cares for Schools other businesses can take part as well. 

Sirona Fuels sees the Bay Area as a champion of progressive and innovative business ideas, and sees the future landscape as one where businesses must take a triple bottom-line approach, accounting for economic viability as well as social and environmental impacts. 

“Sirona Fuels is very proud to be part of this program.  It is central to our mission of being an integral part of our community and make positive, sustainable changes,” said Paul Lacourciere, CEO of Sirona Fuels and 20 year veteran of the energy industry.  “The Sirona Cares for Schools program allows us to continue this pursuit.  We are also creating a way for other Bay Area businesses to participate in our mission of implementing this type of change.  By recycling used cooking oil with us, Bay Area restaurants and other businesses can, at no cost to them, support our children, improve our environment and help grow local, green-collar jobs.”

Used cooking oil is considered a waste stream by many in the restaurant industry and Sirona Fuels wants to unlock the tremendous potential value this used cooking oil has through its conversion into ultra low carbon fuel. Through the Sirona Cares for Schools donation partnership environmentally friendly biodiesel is produced and sold in the Bay Area while schools reap financial benefits.   According to Robert Kirsten, Sirona’s EVP of Business Development, "The Sirona Cares for Schools program benefits schools, restaurants, and the environment by simply redirecting a waste product to its most beneficial use."

 “We are very excited about this program,”  expressed Michelle Lacourciere, the Executive Director for Sirona Cares.  “It presents a great opportunity for everyone to work together towards making a difference in the lives of Bay Area children.  Through cooperation and a shared vision, parents, schools, businesses and governments can bring about positive change.”

It’s estimated that there are 10 million gallons1 of used cooking oil used each year in the Bay Area but only a fraction of that oil goes to the production of sustainable biofuels.  Over 90% of collected oil re-enters the food chain as animal feed.  According to the industry group the National Renderers Association2, “Current usage of rendered fats in the biofuels is estimated at 3 – 8%.” Sirona Fuels challenges restaurants in the nine counties of the Bay Area to join them in helping to support local schools and foster the green economy.  

Information about the program is available at www.sironacaresforschools.com.  Both schools and restaurants can register to participate in this program on the website.

About Sirona Fuels
Sirona Fuels is headquartered in San Francisco, CA with refinery operations in Oakland, CA.  Its Blue Sky Bio-Diesel refinery currently produces a low-carbon, ASTM-spec biodiesel from its used cooking oil collection and refining business.   Blue Sky has been operating a clean, reliable, courteous and free, used cooking oil collection business, which supplies much of the refinery’s oil needs.   The company’s production model revolves around sustainable feedstocks that in-turn provide an affordable, environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum diesel. Sirona is a proud supporter of the local and international communities and businesses that help provide the company with its feedstock. For more information please visit www.sironafuels.com

About Sirona Cares
Sirona Cares is San Francisco-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Its mission is to build sustainable communities by supporting children and developing sustainable jobs for those children when they grow up.  Much of Sirona Care’s work over the last year and a half has been centered on Haiti development and relief work, including organization the largest drive for clothing, shoes and basic medical supplies in Northern California.  For more information please visit www.sironacares.org

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If you’d like more information about this topic or to schedule an interview please call 510.868.9229 or email Matt at mtrocker@sironafuels.com

1.      http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/reportsdatabase/reports/gen/19981001_gen-107.pdf

2.      http://nationalrenderers.org/environmental/biofuels/