Environmental Stewardship

Innovation

From Waste to Fuel
Biodiesel at Riding Mountain National Park

The biofuel is used in the golf course's fleet of turf maintenance equipment.
© Parks Canada

Parks Canada has turned to biodiesel in order to reduce its environmental footprint at Riding Mountain National Park.

Covering 3,000 square kilometres of land in the heart of Manitoba, Riding Mountain National Park is a vast expanse with significant visitor facilities. In order to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions, Parks Canada is using biodiesel in equipment such as turf mowers, tractors and heavy trucks.

This alternative to diesel fuel is made from used vegetable oil, collected in bear-proof barrels, from restaurants in Wasagaming and other nearby towns. Not only does biodiesel produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions, it is very cost-effective. Parks Canada is testing different blends of biodiesel in its equipment to see how they perform at diverse temperatures.

The biofuel is used in the park's heavy equipment fleet.
© Parks Canada

Project Benefits

In partnering with local businesses, Parks Canada has helped raise public confidence and interest in the use of biodiesel, and the project has proven to be a cost-effective way to reduce emissions and waste.

The waste vegetable oil is transported by truck to a biodiesel refining plant and the finished fuel is hauled back to the park and stored in conventional fuel tanks.
© Parks Canada