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Berkeley’s Ecology Center announced Friday they will begin doing their recycling rounds with 10 new trucks that run on recycled vegetable oil. 

The renewable biodiesel fuel recycles carbon through the process of photosynthesis.  

“By using this renewable fuel, the Ecology Center hopes to do its share to reduce climate change by reducing carbon emissions,” according to a statement by Berkeley’s Solid Waste Operations department. 

The non-petroleum fuel is made from soybean oil, which will extract carbon from the atmosphere using solar energy. Next, the carbon-rich oil is processed like diesel fuel in a conventional engine, according to the statement. 

“As the truck burns the fuel, it releases the carbon again,’’ it said. 

Berkeley City Manager Weldon Rucker said the city was helping to close its own loop in the carbon cycle. 

“This will help protect our natural and economic resources, including the Sierra snow pack which provides most of our water,’’ he said.  

The city says biodiesel produces less particulates and soot.