If you regularly cook up a storm, you’ll need to know how to dispose of cooking oil properly. Whether frying or frying our favorite foods, we are often left with excess oil at the end of the day. While we often think the easiest (and fastest) way would be to pour oil down the sink or toilet, you’ve got it all wrong.
In fact, it will cause more harm than good. After the oils solidify, they form congealed clumps of fatty residue called “fatbergs.” This will inevitably clog pipes and wreak havoc on your drains. Additionally, these fats can cause sewage to build up, which can also pollute local waterways. Plus, the last thing you need is spending money on expensive repairs or plumbing services.
Fortunately, there are safer and more economical ways to dispose of leftover oil. So whether you want to reuse or recycle, here’s how to dispose of cooking oil the right way.
1. Allow the cooking oil to cool
First, wait for the cooking oil to cool completely to prevent burns or any serious accidents. Wait a few hours for it to cool or leave the oil out overnight until it reaches room temperature. Additionally, for safety reasons, never lift or move pots or pans full of hot oil.
2. Pour into a disposable container for disposal
Once the cooking oil has cooled, place it in a non-recyclable container with a lid before disposing of it in the bin. Ideal containers include styrofoam with lids, milk cartons, or any other wax-coated paper or plastic container. This method is much safer than pouring cold oil straight into the trash can. Not only can this be messy, but it can attract flies and rodents.
3. Heat cooking oil until solid
If you don’t have a resealable container on hand, another option is to pour the oil into a jar, can or mug and freeze it for a few hours. Once it’s hard enough, use a spoon to scoop the oil directly into the trash can. This will eliminate any messy spills and smells.
4. Reuse cooking oil
First, strain the oil through a coffee filter or a layer of cotton muslin (cotton) to remove any particles or crumbs in the remaining oil. Then, pour into a clean, airtight container or bottle using a funnel. Peanut butter jars or plastic containers with screw tops are also ideal for storing cooking oil. It is also helpful to label the container with the date and what type of food it was used to cook with. Note, you should only reuse the oil once or twice due to the increased smoke point and always throw it out when it smells terrible.
5. Recycle cooking oil
Alternatively, you can donate your cooking oil to be recycled into biodiesel. Find out if your city offers collection programs for recycling used cooking oil, or check Earth911 (opens in new tab) to see if there is an oil recycler near you. Depending on the region, some trash companies may offer bins that you can set for their specific collection times.
Biodiesel is a clean-burning, renewable substitute for diesel. This is often used for city trucks and fleet vehicles, and is much cleaner for the environment than other fuels.
6. Mix with other materials before discarding
If you don’t want to freeze or reuse the cooking oil, you can mix the leftover oil with an absorbent material before throwing it away. Materials such as sand, sawdust or even cat litter will easily absorb the liquid. Store the old oil in a used container and throw it in the litter box when it’s time to empty the can into the trash.
Things you should never do when throwing away cooking oil
- Never pour it down the drain or down the toilet, as this can not only clog your pipes, but can also cause sewage to build up.
- Never pour hot oil directly into a trash can. Not only is this a hazard, but it can cause problems with dump trucks and solid waste areas.
- Never pour oil into composting waste, as oils contain fats that cannot be broken down with organic food.
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