Safe And Effective Ways On How To Dispose Of Cooking Oil (2021 ...

After preparing fried chicken, stir-fry, or bacon and eggs, pouring used cooking oil down the drain might seem to be the fastest and easiest solution. However, that’s the worst thing to do.

To help you with proper disposal, we’ve outlined the steps you can take on how to dispose of vegetable oil (or any kind of cooking oil for that matter) in a safe, effective, and eco-friendly way. We’ve also included some creative tips for you to incorporate used cooking oil in compost and in making other useful items like soap.

Let's fry in!

Does Cooking Oil Go Bad?

Absolutely! Cooking oil, like numerous other edibles, does go bad and rancid. Cooking oil primarily goes bad due to oxidation---when the unsaturated fats in the oil react with oxygen in the air. Other factors that accelerate this process include:

• Heat: High temperatures speed up the oxidation process.
• Light: Exposure to sunlight can make the oil rancid.
• Moisture: Water can accelerate the breakdown of oil.

All these elements create an environment where the oil's molecular structure deteriorates, resulting in the unpleasant taste and odor associated with rancid oil.

Signs of rancid oil

• Unpleasant odor (sharp, metallic, or bitter)
• Off-flavor
• Thickening or cloudiness
• Smoke point lowers

Why is Proper Disposal of Cooking Oil Important?

Correct disposal of cooking oil extends beyond keeping your kitchen clean. Disposing of used cooking oil properly is important for several reasons:

Environmental Impact

• Clogged Pipes and Sewers: Pouring oil down the drain can cause blockages in your home's plumbing and the entire sewage system. Clogged pipes can cause sewage backups.
• Water Pollution: Oil that reaches waterways harms aquatic life and destroys ecosystems. It creates a slick on the water's surface, preventing oxygen from reaching aquatic organisms.
• Soil Contamination: Oil dumped on the ground seeps into the soil, contaminating it and harming plant life.

Safety Hazards

• Fire Risk: Used cooking oil is highly flammable and can ignite easily. Improper storage can lead to fires.

Public Health Concerns

• Disease Spread: Oil poured down the drain can contribute to the spread of diseases by creating a breeding ground for bacteria.

How to Dispose of Frying Oil

1. Store properly and then dispose along with other household waste.

Most households store used cooking oil before disposing of it. However, there are proper steps and points to keep in mind.

• Make sure the used oil is cool enough to pour into another container intended for disposal.
• Pour the used oil into a sealable, disposable container such as a plastic bottle, take-out boxes, or empty milk carton.
• Seal the container properly and tightly.
• Include the container in your food waste bin for disposal.

Additional Tips

• Cool or freeze the used cooking oil. It solidifies the oil, which makes it easier to dispose of. It takes about a day to completely freeze used cooking oil.Did you know that you can preserve cooking oil by freezing it? As long as it’s sealed tight, fresh, unused or unopened cooking oil can last up to 2 years in the freezer and about 1 year in the cupboard.
• Do not use plastic bags to store used cooking oil. Plastic bags aren’t sturdy enough and used oil may potentially leak out of the bags.

2. Take used oil to restaurants for correct disposal.

Do you live near a restaurant? Give them your used oil so they can dispose of it properly.

3. Contact a household hazardous waste disposal company.

Companies that collect household hazardous waste (HHW) often collect used cooking oil.

ACTenviro can most definitely help you with household hazardous waste disposal. Get in touch with us. We’re happy to provide you with a free quote.

4. Use a grease disposal system.

A grease disposal system, commonly called a grease trap, is a plumbing device designed to intercept and retain fats, oils, and grease (FOG) before they enter the wastewater system.

It's essentially a container within your plumbing that allows the water to pass through but traps the denser FOG.

While grease traps are essential for commercial kitchens, they are generally not required for residential homes. Homeowners typically rely on other disposal methods to manage cooking oil.

5. Add to compost.

100% vegetable cooking oil is made up of the following ingredients.

• Soy
• Corn
• Sunflower
• Grape-seed
• Olives
• Coconut

Since these are all-natural foods, it’s perfectly safe to add to your regular compost pile. Earthworms enjoy eating cooking oil. When you add some cooking oil to your compost pile, you’re nourishing the worms that, in turn, nourish the compost. Minimize how much cooking oil you add because it might attract more unpleasant critters and pests. Also, too much oil can hinder the airflow and suffocate microorganisms that process the compost.

6. Mix with other solid waste materials.

Use absorbent materials like the ones below to soak and blot the used oil. This would convert it into solid waste, which is easier and less messy to handle.

• Sawdust
• Sand
• Flour
• Cat litter

What to Do with Used Cooking Oil

Don't be so quick to throw away your used cooking oil. There are a variety of ways you can reuse and recycle it.

1. Store in a glass jar.

Grandma's favorite way of dealing with used oil---an oldie-but-goodie option.

• After frying, leave the used cooking oil in the flying pan to cool down.
• Once cool enough, carefully transfer it to a glass container.
• One common kitchen to help keep the used oil clean and free from impurities is to place a small strainer or piece of coarse cloth on the mouth of the glass jar as you pour it. This allows you to strain out bits and pieces of batter or other foodstuff.
• Seal the container tightly.

You can reuse this used cooking oil a couple of times. Depending on the kind of food you’re cooking (meat/veggies), how much food you’re cooking, and the cooking temperatures, you can often get about 2 to 4 re-uses from the cooking oil.

2. Used oil can be made into biodiesel.

Used cooking oil is an excellent feedstock for producing biodiesel. Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable fuel that can be used in diesel engines.

• Collection: Used cooking oil is collected from restaurants and households.
• Processing: The oil undergoes a chemical process called transesterification, where it's combined with methanol and a catalyst to produce biodiesel and glycerol.
• Purification: The biodiesel is then purified to remove impurities.

3. Used oil can be made into soap.

Soap making is a popular way to repurpose used cooking oil. The process involves a chemical reaction called saponification where the oil is combined with lye (sodium hydroxide) to produce soap.

• Collect and filter: The used cooking oil needs to be filtered to remove food particles.
• Combine with lye: The oil is mixed with lye in a specific ratio. This process generates heat, so it's important to take safety precautions.
• Curing: The soap mixture needs time to cure, during which the excess water evaporates.

4. Reuse cooking oil as a non-toxic insecticide or weed-killer.

Used cooking oil can be used as a non-toxic insecticide or weed killer. The oil coats insects, blocking their pores and causing them to suffocate. A thick layer of oil can help prevent sunlight from reaching the chlorophyll of the weeds, effectively smothering them.

Materials

• Used cooking oil
• Liquid Castile soap (or other mild dish soap)
• Water
• Spray bottle

Instructions

1. Combine 1 cup of used cooking oil with 1 tablespoon of liquid Castile soap in a jar. Shake well to emulsify the mixture.
2. Add 2 teaspoons of the oil mixture to 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. Shake vigorously to combine.
3. Spray the affected plants thoroughly, making sure to cover both the upper and lower leaf surfaces.

A few tips

• Apply the spray in the early morning or late evening when the sun is not as intense to avoid burning the plants.
• This method is most effective against soft-bodied insects like aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites.
• Some plants might be sensitive to oil sprays. Test on a small area first.
• You may need to reapply the spray every few days for persistent infestations.

Mistakes To Avoid When It Comes to Cooking Oil Disposal

Many people unknowingly mishandle the disposal of cooking oil. Here are some common mistakes people make when disposing of cooking oil:

1. Pouring Oil Down the Drain

This is perhaps the most common and harmful mistake. Once the oil cools, it solidifies in pipes, leading to clogs and costly plumbing repairs. It also pollutes the environment once the oil reaches the waterways.

2. Improper Storage Before Disposal

Leaving used oil in an open container can lead to rancidity, attracting pests, and creating a fire hazard. Always store it in a sealed container before disposal.

3. Not Checking Local Regulations

Disposal methods can vary by location. Some areas have specific guidelines for cooking oil disposal, such as recycling programs or designated drop-off points.

4. Mixing Oil with Other Waste

Mixing oil with other types of waste can contaminate recycling efforts and make it difficult to process. Keep oil separate.

5. Ignoring Small Amounts

Even small amounts of oil can contribute to problems. Don't be tempted to pour a little down the drain.

Regulations When It Comes to Cooking Oil Disposal?

Regulations for cooking oil disposal primarily focus on commercial establishments, especially restaurants and food service businesses. These businesses typically generate large amounts of oil and are required to have proper disposal systems in place to prevent environmental and plumbing issues.

Key Regulations for Commercial Establishments

• Grease Traps: Most jurisdictions mandate the installation of grease traps to intercept oil and grease before they enter the sewer system. These traps need regular cleaning and maintenance.
• Recycling and Disposal: Many areas have specific regulations when it comes to the collection and disposal of used cooking oil. This may involve working with licensed haulers or recycling companies.
• Prohibition of Pouring Oil Down Drains: This is a universal rule to prevent clogs and sewer backups.
• Storage Requirements: Oil must be stored in appropriate containers to prevent spills and contamination.

Regulations for Households

While regulations are typically less strict for households, it's essential to follow general guidelines:

• Avoid pouring oil down the drain: This is a common-sense rule to protect your plumbing.
• Check local guidelines: Some municipalities offer recycling programs or have specific disposal instructions.
• Proper storage: Store used oil in a sealed container before disposal.

Contact your local environmental or waste management department for accurate information.

Conclusion

The global market for used cooking oil is worth about $686.61 million in 2022. There are several options for “disposing of” cooking oil, including reusing, blending, and recycling. Besides the basics, you can also use the used oil for compost, pesticides, or biodiesel.

The main takeaway is to dispose of the cooking oil safely and responsibly. This will help to minimize the effects on your household, neighborhood, and city/town. That, in turn, means you can keep on cooking up tasty morsels.If you need the experts to help you with the disposal of used cooking oil for your household or business, contact ACTenviro or learn more about our household hazardous waste management services.