Filling Up On Biodiesel

Paul Comey is proud of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters environmental record.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters has been doing environmental initiatives since 1982, 1983, when we came out with our first environmental committee and started recycling stuff," said Comey, Vice President for Environmental Affairs at GMCR.

Twenty-five years later the company unveiled it's newest initiative, an onsite biodiesel tank and pump that will fill the company's local truck fleet with a blend of diesel fuel and renewable resources, such as soybean or canola oil.

The new pump has fleet manager Don Ostler excited.

Very excited… absolutely."

Ostler presented the idea to Green Mountain Coffee Roasters 3 years ago. Tuesday, his idea became a reality.

Said Ostler: "To me, it just made great sense. The culture of this company is to exchange ideas and let people take on initiatives. I was able to express my passion for biodiesel and over time was able to put this into place."

The company made a significant investment to build the tank and pump, but hopes that over time, the facility will begin to pay for itself.

"It has a positive ROI… it's a longer one. But in that balance of financial capital, human capital and environmental capital, it fits in the niche," said Comey.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is seen as a leader in bringing biofuels to Vermont.

"This is an important step to building awareness of biofuels and the environmental benefits and the business benefits of being able to walk the talk," said Netaka White, Executive Director of the Vermont Biofuels Association.

The company also hopes to spur other businesses to follow in their tire tracks.

"It's not just about our fleet, it's about educating our employees, it's about educating our partners, and that's why we are going to make this facility available to other commercial entities, so that they can fill up if they want to make the switch to biodiesel," concluded Comey.

A company that's once again paving the way for greener mountains.

Alex Martin - WCAX News