Vanderbilt Biodiesel Initiative

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What is VBI?

Vanderbilt Biodiesel Initiative is a self-sufficient, sustainable, student-run biodiesel production system at Vanderbilt University. The production system is used to convert local waste vegetable oil into environmentally responsible biodiesel fuel that can be used in any of the university's diesel-fueled engines. These include vehicles such as student activity vans, medical center buses, and landscaping machinery. The goal is to curb the consumption of petroleum-based fuel by the Vanderbilt community with a system that is economically and environmentally sustainable. Also, the initiative aims to educate others about the viability of biodiesel as an effective alternative fuel.

Helping out with the Biodiesel Initiative

As VBI is a new student-run organization, we are always enthusiastic to have more help. We have lots of different jobs that need doing, so chances are we have one you'd enjoy helping out with. Please check out our get involved page for more information about lending a hand or mind. Or contact Derek.

More Information

The Initiative has been around since the Fall of 2006. The fall of 2007 has been a big semester for the initiative: we've moved onto campus, completed our production system (as seen on the right and in more detail here), and are making and using our first batches of biodiesel. For more information on biodiesel, the production system, how the organization works, or how it got founded please check out the more information page or the VBI blog.