How to Dispose Cooking Oil
Are you wondering how to get rid of used cooking oil? After preparing fried chicken, frying or bacon and eggs, the quickest and easiest solution seems to be to pour it down the drain. However, this is the worst because grease can clog kitchen pipes and local sewer systems. These are both situations you should avoid.
There are actually several steps you can take companies to dispose of used cooking oil safely, effectively and in an environmentally friendly manner. Some ways like plant compost are probably quite surprising.
Getting rid of cooking oil: What You Should Do and What Not to…
Do not pour
Knowing how not to dispose of cooking oil is just as important as knowing how to dispose of it. There’s no question that used cooking oil is evil. This is especially true if you have fried food, for example, as there may be MALT or vegetables involved in the process-this makes the oil even more dangerous.
Do not drain.
This may seem like a simple step, but it’s also quite dangerous. Even a little bit of cooking oil can clog kitchen / sewer pipes. In this case, you will need to hire a plumber for repairs, which can be quite expensive.
If the sewer pipes clog, that can actually affect neighborhood basements due to leaking sewage.
Do not pour the sink down – Even in small amounts.
In fact, it seems like a little grease from fried chicken is harmless if you pour it down the sink. Guess again. For example, if you use a frying pan, you can simply use a paper towel to remove excess grease from the item.
That said, there are some recycling experts who recommend not wiping down pots, pans and trays with a paper towel. The reason is that you will not be able to recycle the paper towel after this step.
Do not pour down the toilet
This is another step that you should avoid. The reason is that it can cause several of the same problems as pouring down the sink. These include bathroom pipes,sewer pipes etc.
One of the main problems is based on basic laws of physics: oil and water do not mix. In addition, the walls of the drain pipe are damaged.
Another factor is that oil moves slower than water. This, in turn, causes it to mix with other things and clog the entire piping system.
The situation is worse when you are dealing with used cooking oil versus new cooking oil. When the oil is used, things like animal fat worsen the situation and increase the risk of clogged pipes/sewage.
Guidelines for the disposal of cooking oil
Storage and Disposal
You can simply store the used cooking oil and then dispose of it with the other trash. Make sure you store it in non-recyclable containers such as take-out boxes or empty milk cartons. You should seal the containers properly and then get rid of it with the rest of the household trash.
Contact Nearby Restaurants
The reason why this option is good is that you have sources for hazardous waste disposal. There is a possibility that you will allow you to add your small amount of cooking oil to your sales tax.
One of the main advantages of this option is that you can be sure that the waste will be disposed of properly. It is actually a better option than throwing it with regular household trash.
Companies that collect household hazardous waste (HHW) often collect other categories such as medical waste. If you have a door-to-door collection service, then this gives you the opportunity to get rid of several types of hazardous waste at once.
Store in jars
This is an oldie but goodie option. Note: make sure the oil cools to room temperature first!
Once that’s done, simply Pour the used vegetable oil into the jars. In addition to disposing of oil properly, you can also reuse old jars.
Reuse the oil
This can be an effective way to delay how quickly you dispose/recycle the oil. Of course, you can’t reuse it an unlimited number of times. Based on factors such as what type of food you are cooking (meat/vegetables), how much food you are cooking and the cooking temperatures-you can often get about 2 to 6 (tops) reuses out of the cooking oil.
Still, it’s important to know the telltale signs of bad cooking oil. This is based on a variety of signs, including the appearance, texture and smell of the oil.
If you choose to reuse cooking oil, make sure you separate cooking oil for frying fish or other seafood from cooking oil for frying chicken, pork or beef. It’s also important to label jars that you can use to indicate what type of food the cooking oil was fried with.
Here is a good rule of thumb from kitchen experts for reusing cooking oil:
Cooking oil from fried chicken can be stored and reused 3 to 4 times max. Tests show that after the 4th reuse of used fried chicken cooking oil, it showed a cloudy green color.
Cooking oil from potato chips are usually “cleaner”, which means that this kind of used cooking oil can be used 8 times max.
Based on the above, if you reuse cooking oil from food that has been breaded or battered, then it is safe to reuse 3 to 4 times. With used frying oil that is cleaner or clearer from potato chips or similar dishes (E.g. French fries), this can be reused up to 8 times. This can be reused much longer if it is also refilled or combined with new, fresh oil.
Oil Recycling
First check with your local public works department to see if Free Programs are available. You can simply Google the question or call the office to find out if such programs are available or not.
After that, all you have to do is drain the cooking oil. You do the rest of the work so others can use the cooking oil for delicious fried chicken or shrimp tempura.
Other methods for disposing of cooking oil
Use a grease disposal
This is actually a system kit that functions as a grease disposal. This system contains a plastic container with foil bags that hold a maximum of 32 ounces (2 lbs.).
Simply place a bag in the container and POUR used / COOLED cooking oil into the bag. After the bag is full, seal it and throw the bag in the trash. That’s it.
Add to compost
This might be surprising since it’s oil, right? Well, when you use 100% vegetable cooking oil, it’s simply derived from foods like corn, soy, sunflower, grapeseed, olive, and coconut.
So, since they are all-natural foods, it is perfectly safe to add to your regular compost pile. The exception is if you have added animal fat or cooked with meat, as this could attract unwanted bugs and small animals.
Note: Earthworms actually like eating cooking oil. So if you add some cooking oil to your compost pile, you will benefit from the oil and the creepy crawlers underneath.
There is one caveat. Try to minimize how much cooking oil you add. One reason is that it could attract more creatures besides worms. Another problem is that it can lead to a situation where there is too much fat and the air/water flow is blocked. If you want to impress your friends and family, the fancy term is ” hydrophobic barriers.”
Soap
This is probably the last thing most people would probably use used cooking oil for. Normally, soap is made from fat. Therefore, using cooking oil to make soap is convenient because it is another way to reuse the oil besides cooking.
It is also 100% better than throwing the oil in the trash can. This is the opposite of the 3-Rs and definitely less environmentally friendly.
Mix with different materials
Before you dispose of the used cooking oil, you can actually mix it with other absorbent materials like sand, sawdust, flour,
Cat litter
What’s the big deal? This will help soak up the liquid quickly. If you are a cat owner, save waste oil until it is time to dispose of the litter. Then just add the oil to the litter before throwing it out. This makes for a less messy situation while helping city sanitation workers.
Pesticide/weed killer
Ironically, while insects and small animals love cooking oil, you can also use it to keep bugs away. Plus, it’s also an eco-friendly option since it’s only veggie-based oil.
Here’s how it works. Add the cooking oil to a spray bottle and lightly spray plants on a humid day. It might kill the bugs, but even if it doesn’t, it will help keep the pesky bugs away.
A related option is to use vegetable oil as a weed killer. Use it the same way you would a pesticide.
Convert soybean oil to biodiesel
Can you really rev up a diesel engine with soybean oil? It turns out it’s a possibility. Keep in mind that corn is now used for just this purpose.
One caveat is that you need more than the cooking oil used to fry an egg. You actually need large quantities. In fact, some industries like restaurants have even made a business out of it. They sell industrial quantities of cooking oil to companies that convert it into biodiesel.
You can find various online resources to find local companies that convert cooking oil into biodiesel. If you only accept bulk quantities, find a local restaurant that follows the practice as you may be able to donate your small cooking oil.
Process for recycling edible oil:
- consider liquid or solid
Some people would rather deal with solid waste compared to liquid form. If that is the case, simply let the oil cool and it will become a block. If you want it to be super solid, freeze the cooking oil after it cools to make it more solid.
One of the main advantages of freezing cooking oil is that it is easier to handle. This includes whether you want to reuse it soon or dispose of it. - choose a container
You have several options such as plastic butter containers or coffee cans. Be sure to label the container so no one confuses cooking oil for ground coffee beans.
You do not need to refrigerate the oil. The only exception is if you want to reuse it later. - continue to fill the container
You don’t have to worry about the different types of cooking oil you use. However, you should definitely remove large pieces of meat or vegetables. - find a recycling center
Sometimes recycling centers accept used cooking oil as part of household hazardous waste (HHW). In some situations, you may only accept cooking oil during the vacation season. If that is the case, you can look for other disposal solutions. - contact the local fire department
In some situations, accept used cooking oil for recycling. This not only helps get rid of the cooking oil, but also supports the local FD. - top advantages of recycling cooking oil
Cooking oil can be refined into clean biodiesel that powers most diesel engines
Prevents greasy oil from pouring down the drain, which can clog/damage pipes and sewer systems
Restaurant owners can make money by selling a large amount of used cooking oil to be processed by commercial oil recyclers - reducing the use of cooking oil
One way to check used cooking oil disposal off your to-do list at home is to actually use less of it when cooking. Not only is ” oil-less ” cooking healthier in general, but it also makes for more delicious, creative dishes.
Here are some tips you can use in the kitchen to reduce your use of cooking oil:
Use an air fryer. An air fryer is designed to simulate frying, and is a great alternative to traditional frying. It uses hot air that circulates at high speed and then browns or crisps foods placed in it.
Baking. While it may seem more tedious than frying, baking is a healthier alternative. There are plenty of dishes you can bake instead of frying: potato croquettes, samosas, doughnuts, kebabs and pies – these (and more) taste delicious, warm and tender when baked.
Steam or precook. Have you ever had steamed fish? Or steamed chicken breast? When sprinkled with garlic, pepper, salt and generous amounts of butter, it tastes heavenly! Combine it with some boiled potatoes and carrots, and you have a quick, healthy dish. Pre-cooking before frying also reduces the amount of oil needed.
Use a shallow pan. Instead of frying, frying from a shallow pan with a lid helps use less oil. It also traps moisture, which also helps food cook earlier and taste better.
What you should avoid;
Don’t move the oil outside with plastic bags. Fun Fact: the son of the inventor of the plastic bag reports that his father wanted to make the bags reusable and environmentally friendly, according to the Independent. The simple fact is that plastic bags can break easily, and if you carry used cooking oil, it can make a big mess. You don’t have to get fancy – an old plastic bottle is good enough.
Don’t pour hot oil into the trash can. This can attract many things like bugs and rats. It can even cause problems with garbage trucks as well as solid waste sites.
Avoid pouring oil down the drain or toilet. This can mess up the city’s pipes and sewer system.
Do not add to the septic system. The reason is that it can clog pipes and even affect the drainage field and distribution lines. There is even a possibility that it will pollute local waterways.
Conclusion
The Global Used Cooking Oil Market is worth approximately $6 billion (2019) according to Global News Wire. There are several ways to “dispose” of cooking oil, including reuse, blending and recycling. In addition to the basics, you can also use the used oil for compost, pesticides or biodiesel.
The most important thing to take away is to dispose of cooking oil safely and responsibly. This helps minimize the impact on your household, neighborhood and city/town. This in turn means you can continue to cook delicious bites!
FAQs:
When is it time to dispose of frying oil?
You should generally dispose of it after you’ve used it 2 or 3 times. However, if the smell is okay and burns hot, you can continue to use the oil.
Can you throw away used cooking oil?
You can, but it should cool down first. Put it in a sealed and sturdy container. This will help keep it from leaking into the other trash.
Can you dispose of cooking oil in the garden?
Yes, you can use cooking oil as compost, but only if you are frying plant foods. If you were to fry meat products, the oil could attract creatures like rats and raccoons.
Can you pour vegetable oil down the drain?
Absolutely, positively, no. You can’t do this because grease clogs pipes and damages the local sewer system. Better options include reusing the oil or storing it in a sealed/non-fragile container.
How do I get rid of expired vegetable oil?
You can do this by putting it in a sealed/non-fragile container and then throwing it in the trash. You can take it to a local waste center if it accepts grease.