As part of its multi-faceted response to global warming and to protect our environment, Westchester County has retrofitted a van to run on biodiesel fuel. This van, dubbed the Veggie Van and painted a vibrant green, travels the county to promote biodiesel fuel and other renewable energies.

The Veggie Van actually runs on vegetable oil. This fuel produces only about 20 percent of the pollutants of a normal diesel engine. The van gets its fuel from the 10,000 gallons of used vegetable oil generated annually at county-owned concessions such as Playland and the restaurant at Glen Island Park. That’s more than enough for the Veggie Van and other county vehicles that Westchester hopes to outfit in the future, such as snow plows and pickup trucks. Instead of paying for disposal of this used vegetable oil, it is now available free to the Veggie Van.

The Veggie Van provides educational outreach to children and people of all ages. Visitors step inside a mobile classroom where they can watch DVDs on global warming and pollution and find out about what alternative fuels can do for them, the environment and their pocketbooks. Learn more by watching our Veggie Van video.

If you'd like to schedule the Veggie Van for a classroom or event, call Westchester County Environmental Facilities at (914) 813-5427.

And there's more good news -- when the Veggie Van passes, you’ll get a whiff of something good cooking (maybe French fries or Chinese food?) instead of the overpowering diesel smell you would get from regular buses.