Improperly disposing of used cooking oil can create big problems for homeowners and the environment. Unfortunately, many well-intentioned people continue to pour fats, oils, and grease (FOG) down their drains. This oil ends up clogging pipes, both on your own property and further down the wastewater system. Over time, serious blockages can form, resulting in sewage backups and overflows. Not only does this create costly plumbing issues, but it also contributes to water pollution. To be part of the solution, households and food service establishments should follow proper guidelines for recycling and disposing of waste vegetable oil and grease. Proper waste cooking oil disposal is crucial for maintaining clean waterways and preventing avoidable environmental damage.
The Problems with Pouring Grease Down the Drain
While it may seem convenient to rinse cooking remnants down the sink, oil and grease quickly cool, solidify, and coat the insides of pipes. Food scraps and congealed grease then stick to these FOG layers, eventually blocking water flow altogether. No amount of hot water or liquid drain cleaner can dissolve these thick deposits. Depending on the extent of the clog, fixes range from snaking the drain to replacing sections of damaged plumbing. Either way, failing to keep FOG out of drains can hurt your wallet!
Some issues caused by pouring fats, oils, and grease (FOG) down drains include:
- Slow draining sinks and bathtubs
- Sewer backups and overflows
- Unpleasant odors from sewer gases escaping clogs
- Expensive plumbing repairs
- Increased rats and cockroaches feeding on accumulations
- Environmental harm from sewer overflows
So how much oil does it take to clog pipes? Experts estimate around 1/3 a cup of oil per week can start to impede drainage. That’s not much at all, which is why it’s so important to properly catch and dispose of waste cooking oil disposal.
How to Dispose of Oil and Grease Responsibly
Thankfully, best practices for used waste cooking oil disposal avoid both household and municipal issues. First, food prep workers should pour oil into metal cans and wait for it to harden. Scrape off hardened grease from dishes and pots before washing to keep it out of waterways. Then follow these oil and grease recycling tips:
Collect oils: After fried foods or oily cooking, carefully pour or spoon vegetable oil from the pan into a heat-safe container. Metal coffee cans work great for storing hardened oil. Never mix oils with other non-recyclable items or liquids.
Allow it to Cool: After you’ve finished cooking, allow the cooking oil to cool completely. Hot oil is not only dangerous to handle but can also cause damage if poured into a container before cooling. Allowing it to cool ensures safer handling and makes it easier to contain.
Donate used oil: Many auto garages and waste collection centers accept clean waste vegetable oil for recycling into biofuels. Food manufacturing plants may also take donated grease for rendering into cosmetics, soaps, and animal feed products. Call ahead to find recycling drop-off points and any quantity limitations.
Use curbside pickup: An increasing number of municipalities provide cooking oil recycling alongside regular trash and recycling routes. Check if cooking oil and grease can be disposed of in preapproved containers for biweekly residential pickup.
Send oil to the landfill: While less eco-friendly, household quantities of cooking grease can go into the regular solid waste stream as a last resort. First, solidify the oil, then double bag it and toss it in your non-recyclable household trash. Just don’t include any liquid oils or pour grease down drains!
Set Up a Fat Trap: For any oil that slips by, install a grease trap device to catch food scraps and FOG before entering your home’s plumbing. Clean and maintain the trap according to instructions to prevent clogs.
Reuse or Repurpose: Another option for disposing of cooking oil is to reuse or repurpose it. If the oil is still in good condition and hasn’t been used too many times, you can strain it and use it for cooking again. Alternatively, you can use used cooking oil to make homemade soap or as a natural lubricant for household items.
Educate on Proper Disposal: Share oil recycling best practices with family members, tenants, or employees to prevent needless grease-related plumbing issues. Post reminder signs near sinks for further encouragement.
Final Thoughts
Proper waste cooking oil disposal is essential for maintaining healthy plumbing and protecting the environment. Pouring oil down the drain can lead to clogs, blockages, and environmental contamination. By following the tips outlined in this blog post, you can ensure that your used cooking oil is disposed of safely and responsibly. Remember to allow the oil to cool, use a sealable container, and either recycle it or dispose of it in the trash. With these simple steps, you can do your part to keep your plumbing running smoothly and protect the environment for future generations.