Grease to Greece 2009: ecological Odyssey

by Eleonora Anello

Departure from the UK and arrive in Greece, but with cars fuelled with exhausted oils only, through an informal network of "filling stations" of fired wastes, from fast food to Chinese restaurants or kebab shops.
This is "Grease to Greece 2009”, second edition of a mad "rush"for cars where the matter is not going fast but to produce low emissions by using low doses of fossil fuel. To determine the winner, it will not be assessed in the ranking the order of arrival in Athens but the ecological footprint produced by the participants.

The creator of the competition is the engineer Andy Pag 35, years old, of London, who in 2007 has gone from Croydon (United Kingdom) to Timbuktu (Mali) crossing the Sahara desert with a truck fueled by chocolate (or, rather, derived from the waste of his production, over 2,000 liters of fuel extracted from four tons of waste factory, starting cocoa butter oil).

This year too, as it has already happened in the edition launch in 2008, the rally aims to attract curious who will approach to new ways of moving, alternatives ways to make the car move in a more ecological and also saving money. A nice and practical way to carry a clear message: "Give grease a chance", namely that prove that cars can go on not only by using oil and that unlike ethanol and other biofuels controversy, the recycled cooking grease is less impact on the planet.
The objective of this campaign out of the schemes is to give impetus to a retail network of kitchen waste that would otherwise end up in landfills or at sea. Grease to Greece wants to engage in a lasting traders that contribute to the project with the donation of their residues, raising a new awareness about the possible alternative uses of their waste production.

The eco-friendly travel is also a convenient way to communicate. A campaign that unites the desire to travel, sustainable tourism and competitive sport in which the pillars of traditional marketing are reversed: the ideas meet the medium and not contrary.
It is used primarily the buzz effect. It triggers a chatter that spreads by itself. A “campaign” that doesn’t want to be monologue but who wants to animate dialogue with those who met their target. The effect is also viral. Once that the user is "engaged", that is involved in first person, it has become a supporter and are active to spread the initiative in an informal and, therefore, more credible because it hasn’t a direct interest but to live in a world that is more attentive to the environment.

In 2008 edition of "Grease to Greece Rally", crews have traveled 2500 miles (4023 kilometers) to Athens, where the British ambassador has gived a prize to winners with the Golden Lard Award.
Who will be the winner of 2009?
Registration are still open: to join it takes a team , a diesel car, a few weeks of holidays ... and so much fat cooking.