'Big Green Bus' promotes alternative fuels to St. Viator students

What's big and green and environmentally conscious all over? The Big Green Bus, built by science and engineering students from Dartmouth College, that's what.

The former diesel-run motor coach was retrofitted six years ago by Dartmouth students, and each summer a new group takes the bus out on a cross-country tour promoting alternative fuel and sustainable living.

They stopped recently at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, where bus passenger and 2010 Dartmouth graduate Ann Elise DeBelina of Palatine had attended high school. Her mother, Mary Lee DeBelina, heads up the math department.

"Traveling around the country you hear so many stories and sense so much enthusiasm for the things we were promoting, like climate change and sustainability," DeBelina said. "It really starts with little things that people can do, that when added up, do make a difference."

"I was surprised that it only costs a few hundred dollars to convert the bus from diesel fuel to vegetable oil," said Emily Zahrebelski, a freshman from Hoffman Estates.

Over the past five summers, Dartmouth students have traveled more than 56,000 miles and used about 6,500 gallons of waste vegetable oil - acquired from restaurants along the way - in place of diesel fuel.

Twelve Dartmouth College students have been touring in the bus, displaying its solar panels, low-energy appliances, bamboo flooring and a diesel fuel tank that runs on cooking oil.

They said the students could reduce waste by carrying a reusable mug when eating at fast food restaurants and by not buying so many clothes.

And they encouraged the students to sign a pledge to do things like use fluorescent bulbs, eat poultry or vegetarian two times per week, reduce unwanted catalog subscriptions and not idling the car for more than 60 seconds.

Find out more at thebiggreenbus.org.

• Bill Zars, Daily Herald senior photographer, contributed to this report.