Smyrna becomes the first city in metro Atlanta to start a biodiesel program.  Construction on the project, which makes its own fuel for its vehicles, began about a year-and-a-half ago when gas cost $4.50 a gallon. 

City Manager Eric Taylor tells Channel 2 Action News the project, which was funded through federal stimulus money, is expected to save the city a lot of money. 

"We projected we would actually get a savings of about a $1.25 per gallon," said Taylor. 

The cooking oil, which is collected from restaurants, hospitals, and homes is recycled and then placed in containers that can be picked up at the Smyrna fire departments or the public works center.  You can exchange them just like you would for a propane tank. 

Some restaurants which could be paid for their used oil are donating it.  Taylor says he hopes once the word gets out residents will participate. 

"If this really takes off, we're hoping that about ten percent of our vehicles will be able to use this, in some form or another, generating savings of over $100,000 a year," said Taylor. 

Smyrna has nearly 70 vehicles that run on diesel fuel.