A quarter of a century ago the USA marketed 82 percent of the world’s inventions but it now ranks behind several other countries in new-product introductions. In addition, the USA has experienced a 25 percent decline in patent applications (innovations) going back to the 1970’s. Almost half of the U.S. patents are now awarded to foreigners.

In short, the U.S. has experienced a decline in creativity and innovation.

Creative problem solving and effective management needs to be improved in American business.

One way that managers can be more effective is to foster innovation in their subordinates, peers and superiors.

What are your attitudes and behavior in relation to problem solving, creativity and innovation? Take this short quiz and see.

Innovative Attitude Scale

Instructions

For each of the following statements, indicate the extent to which they are true of either your actual behavior or your intentions. That is, describe the way you are on the job. Use the following scale for your responses.

5 – Almost always true

4 – Often true

3 – Not applicable

2 – Seldom true

1 – Almost never true

Scoring key below.

(Note: You may want to make and distribute copies of this first before proceeding further.

___ 1. I openly discuss with my boss how to get ahead.

___ 2. I try new ideas and approaches to problems.

___ 3. I take things or situations apart to find out how they work.

___ 4. I welcome uncertainty and unusual circumstances related to my tasks.

___ 5. I negotiate my salary openly with my supervisor.

___ 6. I can be counted on to find a new use for existing methods or equipment.

___ 7. Among my colleagues and co-workers, I will be the first or nearly the first to try out a new idea or method.

___ 8. I take the opportunity to translate communications from other departments for my work group.

___ 9. I demonstrate originality.

___ 10. I will work on a problem that has caused others great difficulty.

___ 11. I provide critical input toward a new solution.

___ 12. I provide written evaluations of proposed ideas.

___ 13. I develop contacts with experts outside my firm.

___ 14. I use personal contacts to maneuver myself into choice work assignments.

___ 15. I make time to pursue my own pet ideas or projects.

___ 16. I set aside resources for the pursuit of a risky project.

___ 17. I tolerate people who depart from organizational routine.

___ 18. I speak out in staff meetings.

___ 19. I work in teams to try to solve complex problems.

___ 20. If my co-workers are asked, they will say I am a wit.

Source: Ettlie, John E., & O’Keefe, Robert D. Innovative attitudes, values and intentions in organizations. Journal of Management Studies, 1982.

Problem Solving, Generating Ideas and Leadership

One of the critical behaviors of success is Flexible Thinking–creative adaptability in different contexts. It is having new ideas and lots of them. It is applying them to solve complex problems with multiple solutions. Problem definition and innovative solutions get results.

Innovative people tend to be more ambidextrous in their thinking. That is, they use both the left and the right hemisphere of their brain. The left side deals with thought that is analytical, sequential, organized, planned, precise, based on reason and logic. The right hemisphere deals with thought that is imaginative, playful, emotional, pleasurable, qualitative judgment, based on sentiment or intuition.

Exercise to Test Ambidextrous Thinking

Look at the following two lists of words. Take a minute to memorize the first list. Then write down as many of the words as you can remember on a sheet of paper.

List 1

decline

term

determine

very

conceptual

target

ambiguous

about

quantity

resources

appendix

survey

Now repeat the process with the second list.

List 2

sunset

castle

umbrella

perfume

guitar

radar

brick

pencil

blister

monkey

computer

chessboard

Most people remember more words on the second list. That’s because the second list contains words that relate to visual perceptions. They connect with right brain activity as well as left brain activity. People can draw mental pictures or fantasize about them.

The same is true for innovation. The more both sides of the brain are used the more innovative the ideas.

“Things do not change, we do.” – Henry David Thoreau

Scoring Key

To compute your score on the Innovative Attitude Scale, simply add up the numbers for your responses to the twenty questions. Then compare your total score to the following norm group. Note that the percentile indicates the percent of the people who are expected to score below you.

Score Percentile

39… 5

53… 16

62… 33

71… 50

80… 68

89… 86

97… 95

Source: Developing Management Skills, Second Edition by David A. Whetton and Kim S. Cameron. HarperCollins Publishers.

Conclusion

There is an old saying in business that states, “You manage from the left but lead from the right.”

Paradoxically, left hemisphere thinking is generally rewarded. However, right hemisphere thinking is often times considered tenuous, inferior, wasteful and sometimes even discouraged in business.

Yet as discussed here, ambidextrous thinking, that is switching and using both the left and right hemisphere of the brain, is needed for problem solving, creativity and innovation.

Ironically, by not fostering innovation firms may also indirectly be harming future leadership.

Therefore, the final point for discussion is the following:

What steps can you (and your organization) do to be more effective in this area, starting now?

Movie Producer and native Chicagoan J. Kenneth Ezra explains, Chicago still has the typical mobster types, you know like Johnny Garlic, Snake Man, and Bobby the Hitmen types. But the Chicago mob is different than other cities. First off, the mob in Chicago took on characteristics like the city itself. They worked hard. I mean, they wake up early and leave work very late. And seldom do they show off like their granddad Al Capone. Those days are long gone.

J. Kenneth Ezra is producing a package of 10 movies. In the remake of the independent “The Right thing” (see trailer at http://www.razorfilms.com), his partnership with director and writer Vito Brancato gives us an authentic viewpoint in the Chicago mob scene. Tony Russo a low level street guy gets caught up in the power struggle between the Chicago Police Department, which is notorious for getting in the way of the mob, and a powerful mob boss, who if you didn’t know any better you’d think was a retired electrician living in the posh Chicago suburban sprawl.

We have many stars interested in the roll of Tony Russo who plays the low level mob guy, who takes desperate measures when he’s thrown in a desperate situation. “Russo really embodies Chicago mob characteristics in 70’s and 80’s.” Ezra explains. “This guy is bitter about his roll in the stingy Chicago mob hierarchy, who moves like a big old money corporation, very slow to try new things. He hates that the tops guys. They don’t get out sync and let some of the little guys in on bigger deals. Just like any Chicago entity, the Chicago mob has a notorious lack of funding for research and development.

They’d rather live on the power and royalties of the old proven products. Successful corporations keep solid growth and market share” In this truth life story you see when things get out of hand the Chicago mob handles the situation like IBM, they isolate the problem, come up with a solution and follow-through so the product and efficiency is not disrupted. In the end, they get up early, work hard, bear the freezing Windy City and keep collecting.

“I try to develop talent that is passionate and highly knowledgeable about their subject. A love for putting it on film is a must. Vito turns out to be just that. I was impressed by his original script “Blackstone” which aired on PBS. He took a well known Chicago street rumor. Kennedy was to be assassinated during his trip to Chicago before he moved on to Dallas.” I loved that Vito took that rumor and filled in the blanks. Especially, when he did the hard work of actually interviewing people “supposedly close to the story”. I don’t think you find that kind of authenticity in filmmakers today. I want to produce and development people with that kind of talent, passion and knowledge about what they’re filming. The rest will translate on the big screen and the funding and great audience reaction will follow.

A prominent Hollywood agent reports, “It’s a pleasure to see someone for the last 7 years stay the course and rise up.” Ken is so committed to authentic films he volunteered to work the craft-service table on the set of After Freedom, director Vahe Babian, a film about Armenians adjusting to life here in Los Angeles. “If it’s true, real and authentic. I want to part of it. Even if I have to literally serve everyone on the set. Being part of his film continues my journey of authenticity. I think our film “The Right Thing” is the right thing for authenticity.

Is it possible to be a Believer, yet not be a disciple? There are many Christians that believe in Jesus, yet the evidence of their belief is not displayed by their lives. Can a person be saved, yet be void of Biblical actions? Can one accept Jesus and live a life of non-commitment? Is it possible for a Christian to achieve Eternal Life without being a disciple?

Jesus laid out the requirements to be a true disciple. Needless to say, the call to discipleship is a 100% commitment. As one reads through Luke 14: 26-33, there is a moment when one must decide if he is going to be a follower of Jesus or not. Jesus made it very clear that before one commits to discipleship, he must count the cost. If he is not willing to totally follow Jesus and live a life consistent with the Word, people will not take him seriously. Jesus pointed out that before a king went to battle, he figured out if his army was able to defeat the enemy. If the odds were against him, he would pursue a peace treaty with the opposing king. New Christians are seldom taught what it is to be a true follower of Jesus. It is one thing to accept the finished work of Jesus, but entirely a different thing to follow Him. The cause of Lukewarm Christianity is uncommitted Believers.

Faithful attendance at church will not qualify as being a follower of Jesus. It is being a living example of Him in all we say and do. In the above verses, Jesus talked about hating those around them and even themselves. At first one begins to question the intent of the verses, but when we understand what the word really means, it puts it all in perspective. Hate means to “love less.” What He is saying is that a true disciple will love less all those close to him, and love Jesus more. A true follower will also bear his cross, which is crucifying his own desires daily. Sadly many churches are occupied by people who have not taken up their cross. Their desires have even influenced the type of preaching that is presented. The entrance fee into the Kingdom of Heaven has been paid, but the daily commitment cost is everything. To judge whether a person is “saved,” by observing their works or lack of such, is to misunderstand what constitutes salvation. One obtains eternal life by Faith alone.

A true disciple is to be a living example of Jesus. It is not a token involvement, but a life totally evolved around Him. It is being so like Jesus that our personal identity has been hidden in Christ. John the Baptizer put it so simply, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) Paul said that “… the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God… “Galatians 2:20).

Faith is what saves us; discipleship is what reveals the Kingdom to others. Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) Many are missing the fullness of life by failing to be a walking, talking, living example of Jesus. To Believe equals salvation, while Discipleship experiences and displays God’s fullness.

Namibia means “a place of great arid plains” and lives up to this name. The northern parts of the country are grass covered savannah, but the lasting impression is one of unrelenting harshness and lack of water.

This is one of the most sparsely populated lands on earth. San hunters, Khoikhoi and European renegades fleeing justice in the Cape were some of the pioneers of the area. Restless and wild, they were free from any government control until 1884 when the country was brought under the control of the German Empire. Second only in size to the Grand Canyon of the USA, the Fish River Canyon is 161 km long, 27 km wide and up to 549 meters deep.

The jagged ravine cuts deep into the arid land. Daytime temperatures reach 48ºC and seldom drop below 35ºC, but nights can be very cold. The canyon is the scene of one of Africa’s finest hiking trails. As you descend into the depths of the canyon at its northern end, civilization is left far behind, and for the next four or five days you can experience one of the last tracts of true wilderness on the African continent.

Sossusvlei is one of Namibia’s most spectacular natural wonders. It lies about 400 km northwest of the canyon in the heart of the Namib desert. It was opened to the public only in 1977 and is a great favorite of photographers and nature lovers. The huge red dunes, up to 300 metres high are the largest in the world and are an unforgettable sight at dawn or in the late afternoon sun.

The greatest experience of all however, is to see the pan filled with water. This is something that seldom occurs and photographers from all over Southern Africa will drop everything and head for Sossusvlei for a once in a lifetime picture on those rare occasions.

Although the Skeleton Coast can be said to encompass the entire coastline of Namibia, the Skeleton Coast National Park is bounded by the Kunene River in the north and the Ugab River in the south.

The early Portuguese explorers called it “the coast of hell” but it became known as the Skeleton Coast largely due to the dismal fate awaiting shipwreck survivors through the centuries.

The Kunene River forms Namibia’s northern border with Angola and is Namibia’s largest river.

In ancient times the Kunene emptied its contents into the Etosha Pan, much like the present day Okavango in Botswana. In former years large numbers of elephant, rhino, impala and hippo could be found here, today they have largely been hunted out, but Willem van der Riet, the first person to navigate the river in a canoe, reported that the Kunene crocodiles were the largest and most fearsome that he had ever seen.

The Kaokoland (or Kaokoveld) encompasses a vast arid area where the desert meets the sea and some of the most ancient desert on earth. Within the region the 2586 high Brandberg mountains and plunging river gorges, such as at Tsisab where the beautiful and mysterious rock painting known as ‘The White Lady of the Brandberg’ can be seen. Also in the region are dinosaur footprints dating from over 150 million years ago, the worlds largest known meteorite, an ancient petrified forest and the spectacular natural sculpture known as “Finger Klip”.

The 120 by 50 kilometer shallow pan at Etosha is believed to have been an inland lake fed by the Kunene River before it changed its course to reach the Atlantic Ocean.

The edges of the pan are typical Mopane woodland, and wild game abounds. Everything from the Big 5 to vast herds of antelope and wildebeest can be seen in the park. There are several lodges and tourist camps in the area catering to every taste and budget.

Kaudom game reserve is in the more remote north-eastern corner of the country bordering the Botswana border. The area is dry for most of the year but the grasslands and game flourish during the brief summer rains.

Game viewing is best during the winter months when the animals gather around the water holes. The routes are tough at any time of the year and are suitable only for 4×4 vehicles.

Extending east from Kaudom is a slender finger of land that abuts 4 neighboring countries. The Caprivi Strip is influenced by the Kavango, Zambezi and several smaller rivers which the very essence of life for the local inhabitants. The majestic African Fish Eagle is a familiar presence along the waterways which team with fish and bird-life.

Have you ever wondered how some cartoon characters became so famous – with hundreds or thousands of merchandise bearing their names and images? Remove the ones with animated series out of the equation since they have a marketing medium – and you still have a handful of characters out there who became famous through the merit of their designs. Examples are Julius the Monkey and Emily the Stange.

This article discusses some tips for creating and selling cartoon characters.

Cute VS Cool

Are your characters cute or cool? Cute characters easily attract the females and the young children markets – two of the largest consumer markets. Character merchandise is often cheaper and more affordable. Therefore profit through sheer volumes of sales can be quite astounding.

Cool characters are more suitable as collectibles, and often cater more to the male market. As they are often more exclusive and expensive, sales volumes are seldom as impressive as cute character merchandise.

In the spirit of games development, decision makers might simply want to pick a design that is most suited for the game concept. But as far as possible, if the game concept so allows, do try to go for cute characters because they stand a higher chance of getting licensed for merchandising.

Character Bible

A character bible is the foundation for every product that would stem from an intellectual property – be it a game, animated series, comic, story book etc. Regardless of the resulting product, everything should refer back to the character bible. This is what the bible is all about – a kind of blueprint for an intellectual property besides being a showcase for the intellectual property.

Style Guide

A style guide to showcase your characters in their full glory is absolutely necessary if you plan to license your characters. The average licensee is often quite unimaginative and seldom sees beyond what you show them. So if you are showing them screen captures of your game, hoping that they would see the full potential of your character designs, chances are they will not. A style guide with multiple poses and designs of each character would help them understand and appreciate your character designs better.

Product Concept Boards

In your style guide, it would be good to include product concept boards. These are renderings of mock products with your character designs integrated within. Product concept boards are great for letting potential licensees see how they can use your character designs on their products.

Joining the foreign exchange trade can be hard especially if you don’t know what you are doing. If you want to get into foreign exchange trade you need to make sure that you have all the knowledge and skills needed in order for you to succeed. You should also find a strategy that you can work with considering your own life situation and the bankroll you have.

And even those who are careful in trading can make some mistakes too. Below are some of the things you can do in order to avoid committing these mistakes:

Focus on the technique and the strategy and not the money you made or lost

For a start, you have to focus on learning how to earn money as you trade in forex. If you want to succeed, you need to find a good strategy that can work with you. If you are not comfortable with the strategy that you are using, analyze it and find out what is wrong with it.

Avoid looking for one big deal

Many beginners think that they will strike gold with one monumental trade. This seldom happens however. Majority of the high rollers in the trade earn their money bit by bit. They seldom go for high risk deals because their goal is to keep trading for a longer time. If you want one shot deals, casinos are a better place to be. If you are going to trade through true ECN brokers, you need to have the patience in having small but steady income.

Weigh the rewards against the risk

Managing risks is an important task in forex trading. You need to know what kind of risks you will be facing in the market. You should make the most profitable decisions all the time based on statistics and your chart analysis. You should trust the intelligence that you have gathered to be able to handle the risks.

Be thankful of your profit and forget what might have been.

If you have pulled out your money from the market but you fear the possibility of making more money if you don’t sell your currency, you should abide by your strategy. And if based on your strategy you have to close the deal right away then do so. Don’t feel bad that you lost some of your investments because losing is part of the deal what’s important is that you stay in the game. Avoid dwelling on what might have been and focus on your next task on your deals in IC markets.

Becoming successful in forex trading is not all about being smart, it’s also about working hard and being patient in the trade.

Quirky Incidents

In the search for story or plot ideas, oftentimes novice novelists will come across an interesting, fascinating, quirky incident that they are absolutely sure will make a great novel. Perhaps it was a newspaper article, or an anecdote told by a friend.

The reason the idea is so compelling is because it involves a fascinating twist of fate. Coincidence, if you will. And here lies a snare – a trap that beginning fiction writers often fall prey to.

Only a Small Seed

First of all, keep in mind that when you grab at an idea to use as the basis for your plot, that idea should be only a small seed. This is your starting point. This little spark is the only thing about the plot that should come from outside the writer. Everything else about the story will be filtered through and formed by your own unique imagination and frame of reference.

In the years when I was teaching for a writer correspondence school (over 9 years, to be exact) I could spot when one of my students had created a plot from an actual happenstance. First of all, the plot was weak – pitifully weak. When I brought up the issue, the answer was invariably: “But that’s how it really happened.”

Fine, well, and good! Sorry to disappoint you, but your telling something exactly as it happens is not a plot!

Plot Evolves from Deep Emotion

True, genuine plots evolve from the deep emotions of the writer. That seldom happens when a story is built from an external source. It become flat and uneventful – and seldom grips the reader.

And that brings me to the point of the problem of using coincidence to get your character to a certain point in the story. Again, it’s often the quirky, coincidental aspect of an incident that grabs our attention and arouses our curiosity. While these types of things are fun and captivating in real life, in fiction it will always look like author manipulation.

Why?

Because a plot that relies on fate is a thin plot. It’s the “easy way out.” It’s the cavalry coming over the hill at the very moment the battle is almost lost. Okay, right, sure. Your reader is rolling her eyes. She may continue reading, but trust and respect for the author has been lost – or at least diminished somewhat.

Avoiding Melodrama

The best way to forfeit the interest of most readers is to ask them to believe something that is not really believable. And that’s the point about a quirky, wild, off-the-wall coincidence or strange happenstance. In real life, its main appeal is that something unbelievable actually happened. This is not what your reader is looking for.

Any incident that has an “operatic” quality, or is coming from way out in left field, will most certainly come off as melodrama. Not the mark of a skilled novelist.

To rely on coincidence is the lazy way of writing. It’s a short cut that means less hard work of actual plotting – weaving the story to make it work. Or put another way, to make the story stand on its own. When it does, it is believable. The reader is ready to “suspend disbelief” and step into your world and accept your story. And in the process, accept you (the author) as well.

And that, my struggling novelist, is what we are all striving for in this strange business!

In addition to the other proclaimed dangerous of cell phone use, like driving while talking, research is now being conducted into the possible addiction of cell phones. The thoughts behind it are that, in today’s increasingly reliant on technology society, we are unable to allow ourselves to be disconnected from not only technology but from everyone around us.

Who It Could Affect

Business Users

The ability now to conduct business from anywhere can be both a blessing and a curse. It means that you have a bit of freedom from being tied to the office, but it also can mean you are reachable even when you are out of the office, or on vacation.

Teenagers

Teenagers seem most susceptible to addictions in general, but the ability to be in touch with their friends at all times can be a major drawback to a teenager having the use of a cell phone.

None of us like to believe that we could be affected by any kind of addiction, but the fact of the matter is that addictions are not selective about who they affect, nor are they selective about the manner they affect us.

Learn The Signs

High Bills – People who are addicted to their cell phones often give little thought to the cost of their incessant cell phone usage. There are voice and data plans that allow for heavy usage; however, with addictions seldom does logic follow. The logical thing would be to increase voice and data plans to sufficiently cover the high use of the cell phone; but if someone is addicted they are most likely also in denial about their addiction. The thought process behind the denial is usually “I don’t use my phone enough to increase my plans that much!”

Eyes Glued To The Display – If a person is addicted to their cell phone, then the odds are they are constantly checking their phone for a missed call, a voice mail, or a missed text message. This can not only be annoying, but it can take a turn for the dangerous when the person is also driving a vehicle.

Behavior – Anxiety like behavior when separated from a cell phone has been reported as a major sign that someone might be addicted to their mobile phone. If you or someone close to you expresses high levels of anxiety or worry when they are unable to make a phone call or send a text message you might consider them to be addicted.

Never Ending Use – A person who is addicted to their cell phone will find it difficult to put it down, in a variety of different situations. How often do you see someone talking loudly on a cell phone while in a restaurant? Or sitting in a doctor’s waiting room while talking on their cell phone? The worst cases reported have been people even talking on their cell phone while using a public restroom!

Addiction to a cell phone can affect personal relationships, with partners and even kids believing they are not as important as your cell phone; even work performance can be dramatically affected by the use of a cell phone if the addicted person is constantly checking voice mail, or sending text messages.

Treatment

As is the case with many addictions and behavior disorders, antidepressants and anxiety medications can often do a great job in easing the reliance on a cell phone.

If your job requires you to have the use of a cell phone you may find it difficult to wean yourself away from it after hours; however, with a bit of persistence and determination you will find that this is possible. Try to separate the usage of the cell phone for business reasons from the rest of your life.

Leather, which is known to be an epitome of fashion and elegance, is also one of the most expensive products. Due to its innate qualities and features, this product has carved a niche in various industries. Today there is an assortment of products which are manufactured with the use of animal skin. Apart from boots, shoes, handbags, purses and belts, it is used for various applications in several industries. It is used in furniture and upholsteries too.

Chic And Durable:

There are elegant sofas and chairs made of pure animal skin which adds to the décor of homes and office spaces. Contemporary interior designers use these types of furniture as it exudes a unique charm to the interior spaces. As it is known to be quite durable, it is widely used as upholsteries.

There are many benefits of using these products in our daily lives. In addition to the fashion element, apparels made of pure products offer protection from harsh climatic conditions. It is easy to find a huge range of designer wear made of leather. It can be found in different colors, styles, sizes and designs. These products are usually obtained from the skin of animals such as sheep, goat, alligator, snake, kangaroos, ostrich and so forth. The skins of animals are processed with the right techniques to manufacture smooth, durable and elegant products.

As these products are available on many of the online and offline stores at unbelievable price rates, it is important to ascertain that it is pure and authentic. There are stores which sell fake products at exorbitant rates. So it is important to know how to identify these products before buying it.

Some Things To Consider:

Texture: Synthetic products which appear quite similar to leather products are manufactured and sold through both online and offline stores. It is important to know how to identify and differentiate between these two varieties. Pure products are extremely soft to touch and therefore it is priced at a higher rate.

Reputed Stores: It is quite essential to buy from reputed online stores as such sellers seldom showcase fake products as it might hamper the reputation of the company. Genuine products are often priced at a higher price rate.

Legal Products: Before buying from online or offline stores, it is also essential to ensure that these products are legal. There are products made from the skin of snakes and alligators which might not be legal. So ensure that the products are legal before buying it.

There are many benefits of owning these natural products. It is extremely durable and stretchable. Therefore it can be worn easily and comfortably. Most people love to wear stylish jackets, coats and shoes made of pure animal skin. It is essential to maintain these products properly so that it lasts for a longer period of time. Although it is made to resist wear and tear, it is necessary to clean these products with the right techniques. Genuine leather products are exemplary with its unique color, design, style and charm.

Abstract– Aside from reducing the environmental problem of food service businesses uncontrolled disposal of waste oil, Waste Frying Oils (WFOs) based biodiesel also cuts the economy’s dependence on limited resources and petroleum-based diesel imports. In this study, a method for evaluating the costs of biodiesel production from WFOs was proposed with the aim of developing an economic evaluation of this alternative. A logistics aspect is seldom explored in the calculation of such feasibilities. This study addresses this cost by determining optimal vehicle routing systems to incorporate in the total biodiesel cost. The capital of Lebanon, Beirut, was selected as the survey zone as it holds a great number of restaurants and hotels. The only biodiesel production plant in Lebanon was surveyed to determine the production, chemicals, labor and tax costs in addition to glycerin and fatty acids’ esters (FAEs) credits. Ultimately, a comparison between eightyone scenarios of the biodiesel costs and the information on the commercialization of diesel in Lebanon was realized. The results confirm the economic feasibility of WFOs’ biodiesel production in the studied area, and can help sustain a healthy development of the biodiesel industry in Lebanon.

I. INTRODUCTION

Renewable energies are considered significant resources in many countries around the world. Multiple studies have shown that reduced carbon emission could be achieved through an increased use of intermittent renewable energy sources [1-2]. Biomass is the most frequent form of renewable energy [3-4] and can be converted to other utilizable forms of energy like biofuels. Among biofuels, biodiesel is one of the potential alternatives to petroleum [5-6]. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) defines biodiesel as monoalkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from a renewable lipid feedstock, such as vegetable oil or animal fat [7].

Biodiesel has similar characteristics to fossil diesel fuel with the different advantages of being non-toxic, readily biodegradable, and cleaner burning than petroleum diesel [8- 9]. It significantly diminishes the emission of harmful air pollutants including carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide [10]. However, the high cost of biodiesel is the major obstruction for its commercialization. Biodiesel produced from vegetable oil or animal fat is usually more expensive than petroleumbased diesel fuel by 10 to 50% [11]. Compared to raw vegetable oils, waste frying oils (WFOs) are considered as cheaper biodiesel feedstock that can efficiently reduce raw material charge [12]. Even though the trade price of waste oils has been raised recently in developing countries, WFOs are still lower cost feedstocks making biodiesel production more competitive to the production of petroleum-based diesel fuel [13]. Besides its economic appeal for decreasing reliance on imports of petroleum-based diesel and limited fuel resources, the use of WFOs in biodiesel production also contributes to reducing the amounts of WFOs being dumped into landfills and sewers [14].

View full article here: http://env-energy.org/logistics-costs-consideration-in-the-economic-assessment-of-waste-frying-oil-based-biodiesel/