The Proper Ways of Disposing Cooking Oil: An Eco-Friendly Guide

We all use cooking oil in our kitchens, and while it can help us to prepare some delicious meals, it might also get a bit tricky to get rid of. To keep both our homes and the environment as healthy as possible, it is crucial to know to get rid of cooking oil properly. Don’t worry, it is not that hard, as you will see in the following lines.

So let’s get on with it! Here are the proper, environment-friendly ways of cooking oil disposal:

Avoid Pouring It Down the Drain

Before talking about how to get rid of cooking oil, I think it will be nice to start with stating how not to do it. And pouring it down the drain is an absolute no! So if you are wondering what to do with cooking oil, don’t think about this option. The thing is, when the cooking oil cools, it hardens, and it will cause clogs in your pipes, which will need repair to be fixed. On top of that, once that oil enters the sewage system, it can combine with other types of waste, and can potentially cause blockages in the sewer, leading environmental damage- including water pollution.

So, again, it is an absolute no! Now if that is established, let’s move on with the eco-friendly methods of cooking oil disposal…

Let It Solidify and Throw It in the Trash

One of the simplest ways to dispose of cooking oil is to let it cool and solidify, and then throw it in the trash. Once the oil has cooled to the room temperature, you can pour it into a container or let it harden in the pan. Once solidified, scrape it into a paper towel, and then place it in a biodegradable bag or a sealed container before throwing it away with your regular household trash.

Recycle It

In some areas, cooking oil can be recycled into biodiesel, an eco-friendly fuel that can power vehicles and machinery. Many recycling centers and local waste disposal programs now accept used cooking oil for recycling, turning it into a renewable energy source.

You can check with your local recycling center or municipal waste disposal service, and ask if they accept used cooking oil. If the answer is yes, you will likely need to strain the oil to remove food particles and store it in a sealed, leak-proof container before dropping it off.

Additionally, some communities offer drop-off locations for used cooking oil around the holidays when deep-fried foods such as turkey are popular. Keep an eye out for these special events if your area supports oil recycling.

Compost Small Amounts (With Caution)

Some types of cooking oil, such as olive oil or vegetable oil, can be composted in small quantities. However, this method should be used sparingly, as adding too much oil to your compost pile can slow down the composting process and attract pests.

If you have a compost bin or pile, add a very small amount of oil (no more than a tablespoon or two) and mix it thoroughly into your compost. The oil will break down over time, but it’s important not to overdo it, as excess oil can make your compost too greasy. Try to avoid adding large quantities of oil or animal fats to your compost, as they can create odors and attract unwanted critters.

Donate It (For Larger Quantities)

If you regularly cook with large amounts of oil consider donating your used cooking oil to local organizations that convert it into biofuel. Many biodiesel companies and nonprofit organizations collect used oil for this purpose, especially from restaurants and catering businesses. This I assume will hardly be the case for homes, but still, just know that this is a possibility too.

You can do research on local biodiesel programs or organizations that accept used cooking oil donations. They’ll often provide guidelines for storing and delivering the oil safely. Some companies even offer free pick-up services for larger quantities of used oil.

And even if you don’t use large amounts of oil regularly, you can consider partnering with local restaurants or community groups to donate your used oil collectively.

Reuse It (When Safe)

Lastly, before thinking about cooking oil disposal, think about whether you should really throw it away at the first place. If the oil is still clean and has been used only lightly (for example, if you’ve shallow-fried vegetables), you may actually be able to reuse it for another round of cooking. Cooking oil can typically be reused two or three times, as long as it hasn’t been overheated, burned, or mixed with other ingredients.

Disposing cooking oil safely is an important practice for sustainable kitchens. So make sure to pick the best way of doing it for a healthier home, and a healthier planet!