What is ecofuel? An ecofuel is eco-friendly fuel which can be used as an alternative to traditional fossil fuels – like wood and coal. Produced from naturally occurring materials (usually from waste like wood shavings), its production and use has minimal impact on the environment.

It is also considered a highly effective heat source; known for being easy to ignite, efficient in terms of heat output and long-burning. Irish Country Living speaks with two Irish businesses specialising in eco-friendly fuels.

All Star Heating

From a dairy farm in Claremorris, James Boyle met his wife Janet (who is from Athlone) while they were both working in Australia. Now based in Mayo, the Boyles set up their ecofuel business, All Star Heating, in 2017 and are hoping to educate people about the value of using eco-friendly fuels.

The company produce a range of fuels, made from 100% recycled biomass.

“We use recycled timber sawdust waste from furniture factories in Central Europe and we manufacture logs from this biomass,” explains Janet. “They are made from hardwood (which burns longer than soft wood) with no glues or binding agents.”

“They produce less ash and a good flame – they give off 30% more heat than traditional peat briquettes,” she says. “They are smokeless, will keep your chimney clean and cause less pollution.”

Sustainability has always been a core value for their business and inspiration for All Star Heating stemmed from Janet’s parent’s eco-stove business in Westmeath.

Janet recalls growing up going to the bog with her parents in the midlands; a ginger ale and bag of Taytos in hand.

She believes everyone has a role to play when it comes to sustainability. “From being abroad in Australia, there’s nothing like seeing that green landscape when you’re coming home on the plane,” she says.

“Having had a baby has also really opened our eyes to protecting the environment for future generations.”

Janet says, while their business is by no means perfect, they are trying to implement small changes every day to improve sustainability within the company.

She acknowledges that demand for sustainable fuel has increased in recent times.

“People are becoming more interested and I think a lot of that is coming from education in schools,” she says. “Children are coming home, chatting to their parents about being more eco-friendly and promoting biodiversity.”

Janet and James are working to educate people about the value of using alternatives to traditional fossil fuels, which they describe as “a learning curve” for everyone involved. Janet says their ultimate aim would be to have 100% carbon-free products in the future.

“People are really trying to do the right thing regarding being sustainable,” she concludes.

All Star Heating offer nationwide delivery and products are available online.

www.allstarheating.ie

EcoFuel

The Galway team at EcoFuel.

Leading a sustainable lifestyle remains a top priority for Galway-based company EcoFuels. Founded by Janis Vitol in 2014, the business started out online but has developed significantly with stores now in Galway and Dublin.

Producing renewable fuel alternatives from reclaimed hardwood sawdust, Janis says his business has continued its fight against plastic packaging and fossil fuels.

“We’re here to change things and we’re making everything we do more sustainable,” he explains. “Now that our business is growing, everything we do has a bigger impact on the world around us. This brings both the responsibility and the opportunity to make that impact positive and drive a ripple effect.”

Janis explains that traditional fuels – like coal and turf – cause significant damage to the environment and contribute to air pollution,

“They release huge amounts of stored carbon,” he says. “Fossil fuels pollute the air with particulates [which are believed to contribute to] thousands of deaths per year.”

EcoFuel does contactless delivery.

Janis recalls learning about the value of renewable fuel since establishing his company.

“Before I started at Ecofuel, I’d just buy bags of logs at the supermarket or garage forecourt. It was only when I tried the kiln-dried hardwood that I understood the difference. Ecofuels reach their highest temperature faster, put out a higher heat and leave less ash.”

He acknowledges the value of making small changes to make a difference.

“Every company impacts the world in many ways, beyond creating jobs and making money. We all make the choice on how we can impact our team, our customers, our local community, the environment and the world at large.

“It’s up to all of us to make sure we leave the world in a better place than we found it,” he continues. “Often, as individuals, we feel powerless but as a collective of like-minded people, we get to do much more by working together. Sustainability is just part of who we are [as a company].”

Janis says customers are becoming more conscious of protecting the environment. “We’re seeing more customers make the switch from fossil fuels and they’re often surprised by just how good these sustainable fuels can be.”

www.ecofuel.ie