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by Anonymous Answerbag on April 19th, 2006

Anonymous Answerbag

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How do you dispose of used cooking oil?

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Answers. 39 helpful answers below.

  • by mrserica21 on April 19th, 2006

    mrserica21

    DO NOT dump cooking oil, poultry fat and grease into the kitchen sink or the toilet bowl.

    DO NOT use hot water and soap to wash grease down the drain, because it will cool and harden in your pipes or in the sewer down the line.

    DO place cooled cooking oil, poultry and meat fats in sealed non-recyclable containers and discard with your regular garbage.

    DO use paper towels to wipe residual grease or oil off of dishes, pots and pans prior to washing them.

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  • by Alatea on April 19th, 2006

    Alatea

    Disposing of used cooking grease is an environmentally important task. There are several ways to safely dispose of it, but it should never be poured down the drain.

    1. Allow the oil to cool completely before disposing of it.

    2. Decide whether the oil needs to be discarded. Oil used for deep-frying can usually be reused several times. Strain it into a clean sealable container.

    3. To throw it away, carefully pour it into a strong sealable container, such as an old plastic jar with a lid. Many households save jars for this purpose. Plastic jars are better than breakable glass ones.

    4. If the amount of oil is small, place the filled, sealed jar in the trash.

    5. Take large amounts of cooking oil to the local landfill.

    6. Alternatively, recycle large amounts of used cooking oil with the help of a cooperative local restaurant. Most restaurants have used grease bins, whose contents are recycled into consumer products. Ask if you can add your used oil to their grease bin.

    7. Used cooking oil can also be composted with other organic matter. If you have a compost heap or a healthy backyard earthworm population, feed them kitchen scraps.

    www.ehow.com/how_15918_dispose-used-cooking.html

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  • by RedJohn on April 19th, 2006

    RedJohn

    Used cooking oil can also be used to produce biodiesel. Perhaps you, as an individual, might not have much used oil to spare, but if you run a business that does produce waste cooking oil, you could do worse than contact someone with an interest in biodiesel who would gladly take it off your hands. Biodiesel can be easily produced at home.

    See also: http://www.biodieselcommunity.org/

    ------------------------------------------------------------
    Re: "that not sayin how to dispose of it"

    I beg to differ: it most certainly does "sayin how to dispose of it". Converting used cooking oil to biodiesel is a great example of what the terms recycle and reuse are all about. Before you throw something in the garbage, find out where else it could be used. Used cooking oil is not garbage, it is the basic ingredient in an alternate fuel source.

    --------------------
    And for the linguists, I refer to The Concise Oxford Dictionary, which requires no explanation:
    "dispose of: do what one will with, regulate; get off one's hands, stow away, settle, finish, kill, demolish (claim, argument, opponent), dismiss (cricket ... score), consume (food); sell."

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  • by mrserica21 on April 19th, 2006

    mrserica21

    The best way to properly dispose of used cooking oil is to recycle it. Many restaurants will take it from you for recycling. They sell it to recycling companies that will recycle it for use in making cosmetics and other products. Rendering companies will also take it.or seal and disspose.

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  • by ChelseaMark on September 1st, 2007

    ChelseaMark

    Sell it to my next door neighbour as hair gel.

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  • by Mrs803 on March 25th, 2007

    Mrs803

    i just dump it outside somewhere. Hey theres nothing wrong with organically dunping it somewhere it will just sink into the groud no harm done

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  • by Woodii on April 21st, 2006

    Woodii

    In my neck of the woods in Oregon cooking oil is recycled to make bio diesel fuel. A large plant here was funded by Willie Nelson and other investors and is growing in leaps and bounds. People use it in place of diesel. It costs a tad more, but U can get the same mileage per gallon while helping out our environment.

    As far as handling , other posters have covered that well.

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  • by PommyMommy on April 20th, 2006

    PommyMommy

    I keep an empty metal coffee can under my kitchen sink and drain all grease and used oil into it, sealing it with the lid after. When the can is full I throw it in my regular household trash. Using the metal coffee can helps a lot when I need to drain grease or oil that is still hot.

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  • by The Special One on July 16th, 2008

    The Special One

    In my old house we had a deep fryer, not sure how we got it since neither me nor my roommate bought it, but it was there and it was nice. When we had used oil to chuck we'd take it outside and pour it on the ant hill that was behind our house. Pretty sure you're not supposed to do that, but that's how I did it. Got rid of those pesky ants, too.

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  • by Reds20 on July 16th, 2008

    Reds20

    Hey I am Dawn and I work for a company that picks up used cooking oil from restaurants for no cost at all and we change it into bio diesel fuel. My company is based out of Allentown, PA and we cover majority of PA and New Jersey. We also offer discounts on trash removal, grease trap, and hood cleaning. If interested feel free to give me a call at 610 437 4069.

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  • by bigd012904 on January 16th, 2009

    bigd012904

    Poor it into a can, wait for it to harden, and then thrown it away. I have just dumped it into the dirt before.

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  • by good1 on January 16th, 2009

    good1

    I'm doing it right now. Put the oil in a container. Freeze it. Take it out of the freezer and scoop it into the garbage in it's whole form.

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  • by Anonymous on January 16th, 2009

    Anonymous

    Just found out they poured the oil down the drains in the floor (not the sink). Things get stuck in the drain and cause a backup and odors. This coats the sides of the drain and keeps them flowing.

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  • by Anonymous on January 16th, 2009

    Anonymous

    I work in a federal building and professional plumbers have just been here pouring vegetable oil down something in the bathrooms. I'm dying to know why, but by the time I saw what they were doing they had left. I wanted to ask them why or maybe it is a trade secret ;-)

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  • by Gene H on December 28th, 2008

    Gene H

    Recycling. They make fuel from it now. Contact a recycling center. Or pour it into a coffee can and put the lid on and toss it. Recycling is much better.

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  • by Chris on December 28th, 2008

    Chris

    Bury it?

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  • by Curiosity didnt kill the cat. I did. on September 30th, 2008

    Curiosity didnt kill the cat. I did.

    flush it down the toilet

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  • by Vio Sno on September 30th, 2008

    Vio Sno

    I just allow torn pieces of newspaper to soak in the oil until all is absorbed. Using a rubber glove i transfer the oil soaked papers to plastic bag, tie it tight and dispose it with the normal garbage. But i am not sure if it's a great idea.

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  • by baholms on July 16th, 2008

    baholms

    take it to your local recycling center if you dont have one near by most grabage pick up charge a small fee butr its worth it not to harm the enviorment by dumping it in the woods

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  • by Cowboy-Matter of Fact on September 1st, 2007

    Cowboy-Matter of Fact

    I put in the the trash or dump it out in my back yard.

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  • by rayless on April 20th, 2006

    rayless

    In addition to the initial answer I have used a great item called The Fat Trapper. This item is a high impact plastic box with a foil lined bag that allows the user to pour hot grease (CAREFULLY) into the bag and then when the foil bag is filled, you can seal it and then dispose of it. I keep mine in the fridge so the grease gets firm and is easily disposed of. The problem with glass, of course is breakage -- the problem with plastic jars is the melting factor and the problem with coffee cans is that they are often cardboard. More information on this item can be found on the web as several utility companies are utilizing these boxes to educate the public on the potential problems household grease has on plumbing, sewer systems and septic tanks.

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  • by Remo Williams on April 20th, 2006

    Remo Williams

    Since used cooking oil probably has a certain amount of fat or grease in it, I would suggest using it in a bird feeder. Both congealed grease (Suet) and oil are recommended dietary sources for bird pets and thier wild cousins.
    Collect the oil in a jar, toss in a cake donut to soak and roll the donut in a handfull of sunflower seeds while the oil is still warm. Any piece of bread will do, but I chose a donut because (If you don't have a feeder) you can just drive a peg into a tree or the side of your house and use that.
    You can use a surprising amount of oil like this. Especially once the animals catch on to where the food is. But, if you still have some leftover, I'd follow the previous suggestion of taking it to a co-operative to be rendered into biodiesel.
    However, the discussion board that I'd suggest is:
    http://forums.biodieselnow.com/
    They have a state by state listing of where co-operatives are.

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  • by Namaste formerly future_health_educator on April 19th, 2006

    Namaste formerly future_health_educator

    Put it in a disposable plastic container and throw it in the garbage.

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  • by firstchoicegrease on January 1st, 2012

    firstchoicegrease

    The best thing to do is to have a plastic storage or container with a lid where you can place your used cooking oil and allow oil collectors to pick it up. Never pour the waste oil into drains if you don't want your pipes to suffer when the grease has hardened, it'll cost you a lot! In our area in Texas, we allow grease collectors like http://www.1stchoicegrease.com to get our grease and transport it to recycling plants.

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  • by firstchoicegrease on January 1st, 2012

    firstchoicegrease

    The best thing to do is to have a plastic storage or container with a lid where you can place your used cooking oil and allow oil collectors to pick it up. Never pour the waste oil into drains if you don't want your pipes to suffer when the grease has hardened, it'll cost you a lot! In our area in Texas, we allow grease collectors like http://www.1stchoicegrease.com to get our grease and transport it to recycling plants.

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  • by Snatchsquach on January 1st, 2012

    Snatchsquach

    I throw it over the fence into the neighbors yard.

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  • by Nick_B6740 on September 15th, 2011

    Nick_B6740

    You can go to www.tsboil.com. We will help you with the removal of your used cooking oil. All you have to do is fill out the application.

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  • by brendan.conyard on May 16th, 2011

    brendan.conyard

    Composting definitely seems to be the way to go, untill now i have been making firelighters with tissue or news paper, soak it up make it into a ball keep them in the Chiminea in a plastic bag to keep them dry but accumulating more than we use so great to know its compostable.

    Dose than include non vegetable fat?

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  • by Victor E._S on January 8th, 2011

    Victor E._S

    If you use a lot of paper towels, cold oil that has been used for cooking or frying can be poured over them in your garbage bag.

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  • by brendan.conyard on May 16th, 2011

    brendan.conyard

    Composting definitely seems to be the way to go, untill now i have been making firelighters with tissue or news paper, soak it up make it into a ball keep them in the Chiminea in a plastic bag to keep them dry but accumulating more than we use so great to know its compostable.

    Dose than include non vegetable fat?

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  • by firewalker22 on March 15th, 2012

    firewalker22

    The best answer is the environmentally sustainable way. Recycle your used cooking oil into bio fuel by selling to a trusted reputable collection service company such as Hulsey Sustainable Solutions
    http://www.hulseyenvironmental.com

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  • by Esteban-- Smart ass Pumpkin on March 15th, 2012

    Esteban-- Smart ass Pumpkin

    I spread it on my street and watch the cars go slippy-slidely.

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  • by Jade on February 17th, 2008

    Jade

    I save coffee cans, pour the oil in, after it has cooled, and throw it in the garbage.

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  • by stardust on July 16th, 2008

    stardust

    my nanna always tossed it outside closer to the woods-im guessing this is alright?? sounds like others have taken this route as well.

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  • by Greenbag on February 17th, 2008

    Greenbag

    Green certified: DO NOT dump cooking oil, poultry fat and grease into the kitchen sink or the toilet bowl.

    Green certified: DO NOT use hot water and soap to wash grease down the drain, because it will cool and harden in your pipes or in the sewer down the line.

    Green failed: DO place cooled cooking oil, poultry and meat fats in sealed non-recyclable containers and discard with your regular garbage. (non-recyclable containers are bad for the environment).
    Green certified alternative: Create a small compost in your backyard and use to dispose your cooking oil. You could also check with your nearest restaurant if they have a grease recycle disposal that you could contribute to.

    Green failed: DO use paper towels to wipe residual grease or oil off of dishes, pots and pans prior to washing them. (Paper towel kills trees).
    Green certified answer: Allocate an old sweater or other old cloth for this purpose. You could then use the old cloth multiple times and dispose it in regular garbage. Another option is to use your backyard faucet for the first cleaning.

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  • by Roger Kovaciny on November 12th, 2006

    Roger Kovaciny

    Whatever you do, don't pour it down the sink!

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  • by oregon on November 11th, 2006

    oregon

    I believe sticking oil in the fridge will solidify it, and sticking it in the freezer will make it firmer still. This might make disposing of it easier.

    Or you could make oil candles and burn it.

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  • by Namaste formerly future_health_educator on November 12th, 2006

    Namaste formerly future_health_educator

    If you save plastic jars you can let the oil cool off put it in a jar with a lid and throw it in the garbage.

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  • by therajet on August 23rd, 2010

    therajet

    You can just go to Industrial Biofuel @ www.ibfuel.com and sign up for their free service.

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