Courtenay WVO Co-op

[Frisch]

I'm interested in organizing a Co-op for the Comox Valley area. My feeling is that all we really need is a location with power. Everything else, I bet we have.

What do you think...

[sean]

Hi Dave,

Talked to Ben today of Comox Valley Delica. He is in to meet and discuss. Zach also brought up the idea today so it seems like perfect timing. Early April seems to be good time for everyone so far. I will contact the Black Creek veg crew. Thought about location a bit. Industrial area where we can rent very cheaply. I know of a few people to ask. Central location. Rosewall comes to mind. I think we should run with the idea.
Sean

[Frisch]

Sean,
I'm home from school on the 11th. Weeknights are usually better because then I don't have to sacrifice ski, bike, run time.
I'll offer my place to meet if no one else has a better location.
David

[sean]

So how does Wed. April 16 at 8pm? Location to be announced. I know there are some people that I met at the Rathtrevor Meet who showed interest in the coop idea but are not yet collecting or running on veg. I think at this point we will have a meeting with just people that are already filtering and storing. We want everyone's input but for the first meeting I think we need to come up with answers and a strategy first. Let me know via this post if you have any ideas for what a veg coop might look like. This is very exciting . I think that the size of Courtenay and the enthusiasm amongst the people that I have talked to will make this Coop a great success.

Sean

[sean]

So the first meeting of the future Courtenay Veg Coop was held in the comfy chairs of the Best Western Hotel last night. 7 people attended, 4 of those being non Delica owners...we won't hold it against them . Lots of great ideas and some real concrete goals to attain in the next few weeks. 2 locations are being proposed, Frisch is desiging the building, one of us is working on dispensing and I am working on the filtration aspect. Lots of great knowledge out there. We all agreed that quality of oil was a concern so we are going to create two seperate batches. Oil we deem to be low quality (hence biodeisel in the future) and the good stuff. The centrifuge idea sounded great to everyone, espicially the reduced environmental impact and cost of throw away filters. As for getting others involved, we all feel like we a have a ways to go till that happens, but stay tuned. I know there are a few in Courtenay and surrounding areas that have PM me that want in. I think once we get our system set up and running we can get others to bring their supply to our location. SO if you are thinking off getting into the veg thing soon, let me know. It may work out well, timing wise for, so you do not have to set up your own filtration.

We also talked about written agreements being established as opposed to the verbal ones currently in place for most of us. I am writing up a contract which we are all going to take to our respective restaurants. If you are approaching an establishment and want to use this soon to be created contract, let me know.

Sean

[hgale]

Hi from Gold Coast Australia!

Is there any chance of you sharing your WVO agreement contract with me when ou have drawn it up - I would like to set something similar up in my area. No point reinventing the wheel :)

Cheers,
Hamish

[sean]

Hello everyone,
I have ordered the centrifuge from Diesel Craft along with the pump and motor. Should be here in 2-3 weeks. Looking forward to seeing it in action. .
We have decided on the location and had an mini bobcat there on the weekend clearing and leveling. One of the guys went down to DemX and priced out our 10 by 10 building. Decided on using recycled materials for building. We now are planning the work party to build the structure. We would like to have it ready for when the centrifuge arrives. So for all of you in Courtenay/Campbell River who have been PM and emailing me with interest in joining, here is how we have decided to proceed.

If you have a source of oil and are currently collecting it, we would love you to join. The centifuge, storage and structure will be at your disposal with a contribution to the cost of the project. Currently we are at about $300/person (rough estimate) but as more join, the lower the cost becomes. When we decide on a work party day to build the building, I will send a email and post the date. We would love more hands. We have two of our guys who are carpenters by trade and are going to be the "foremen" and the rest of us we be the "workers".

Once the centrifuge arrives, myself and another guy are going to learn the ins and outs and then do a evening seminar on how it works with everyone.

I think that is all for now. I haven't had time to get the contract written up but when I do I will post it here and if anyone else needs it, feel free to copy and paste.

Sean

[BCDelica]

Fantastic organizing job Sean. Have you decided on a build date?

$300 dollars per person right now is super! I begged and sourced out great deals on filters/pumps, spending 3-4 times that even though both my pumps were 1/4 the list price. Do you have plans for additives for all your WVO?

Anybody in the area should consider joining and helping out; it's a far better option then going it on your own!

Kev

[jessef]

We have two of our guys who are carpenters by trade and are going to be the "foremen" and the rest of us we be the "workers".

"foremen" and "workers"

[sean]

Thanks Kev for the words of encouragement. After our first meeting most people said they left pumped but did not believe anything would happen for at least 4-6 months. They were surprised when I gave them a call a few weeks later with the latest update. I am stoked to be getting this off the ground.

"foremen" and "workers"

Are u making fun of my quotations? Is my socialist terminology exposing my left leaning tendencies?

Seriously though....

Sean

[oceanfrontmom]

Just wondering how the co-op is coming along? Super keen to see it get up and running. Do you need any help with it? Anything? Just let me know!

Daphne

[Sierraguy]

New to the sight. I am interested in making biodiesel. Are you guys up and running or ?????????? I am in Courtenay. Thanks

[WVOgogo]

Cowichan valley biofuels coop has a pump truck that they are outgrowing servicing 35 wvo sites
They may be interested in selling it
They would be a great resource regardless
Brian is at info@ smellbetter.org

I need a filtration setup to process Hornby islands oil if anyone knows of a system for sale?
Shannon

[Delicaman]

I have 1000 Ltrs of Fresh Filtered WV oil. Filtered to 5 Micron and Water blocked.
Currently 50% of Diesel price.

Benn