How to Dispose of Cooking Oil The Right Way

Cooking up your favorite fried chicken, crisping bacon for breakfast, or browning beef for taco night—all end with the same question: what do we do with the leftover oil?

If you’ve ever tipped it into the sink, you're not alone.

Yet, this seemingly harmless act leads to clogged drains and environmental damage, a common plight that resonates with many. It's time to tackle this issue head-on. 

Many of us are scratching our heads, thinking, "How in the world do I get rid of this oil?" Tossing it in the trash might seem like an easy fix, but is that really the best way?

Here's some good news: I've got some handy tips for you on how to safely say goodbye to that used cooking oil. Whether you're a beginner in the kitchen or a seasoned chef, these simple steps will make sure you're not part of the clog squad!

Sustainable Ways To Dispose Of Cooking Oil At Home

Disposing of cooking oil can often seem like a daunting task, especially when you're trying to do it in a way that doesn't harm your pipes or the planet. 

From my own kitchen adventures and a bit of mishap here and there, I've gathered some foolproof, environmentally friendly methods for handling waste cooking oil.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Let It Cool Down: Your Very First Step

The journey to responsible cooking oil disposal begins with letting it cool. It's not just about safety; it's about convenience. 

For oils that stay liquid at room temperature, like vegetable oils,  popping them into the freezer transforms them into a manageable solid. 

I learned this the hard way after attempting to tackle liquid grease too soon—let's just say my kitchen floor tells tales of my mishaps. For animal fats like bacon grease, a few hours at room temperature should do the trick. Remember, hot oil and plastic are not friends. 

Opt for glass jars to avoid any messy, melty disasters.

2. Solidify Before Oil Disposal

Want to make disposal even simpler?

Here's a trick that's changed the game for me: mix your oil with absorbent materials. I've used everything from spent flour and sawdust to cat litter. 

On a creative whim, I've even added non-compostable food scraps to thicken the mixture. It makes disposal a breeze and significantly reduces the mess factor.

3. Ditching Plastic: A Greener Approach

We've all been there—reaching for a plastic bag or bottle for convenience. But they can tear or crack, leaving you with a greasy mess. 

You’ll find that you have the same risk with plastic bottles that can potentially leak if they crack open. 

Been there, done that—wouldn't recommend it. Instead, consider biodegradable bags or containers.

I've found small cardboard containers and compost bin liners to be excellent alternatives, aligning more closely with eco-friendly oil disposal practices.

4. Storing Oil the Eco-Friendly Way

Speaking of sustainability, let's talk storage.

The key here is avoiding plastic. If you're storing oil for later disposal, choose biodegradable options. I've made the switch and haven't looked back. 

It feels good knowing that my waste isn't contributing to the plastic problem.

5. Disposal in the Household Waste: What to Do?

Once your oil is securely stored in a biodegradable container, you can confidently add it to your bin.

Check if your local area offers special food waste collection services—it's a simple step that can make a significant difference in how we manage waste cooking oil.

6. Biofuel Centers: Turning Grease into Green

For those of us with larger volumes of oil, seeking out local biofuel centers can be a game-changer. These facilities convert cooking oil into biodiesel, offering a fantastic solution for disposing of grease in a way that benefits the environment.

Such a grease disposal system is generally a good idea if you have a large volume of cooled oil on a regular basis. 

7. Clean Up The Cook Ware

After completing the safe cooking oil disposal, remember to wipe down your cookware with a rag before washing it with water.

Now, a little bit about paper towels: Some people's instinct is to use a sheet of paper towel to wipe away the oil since it's more convenient, but we actually don't recommend that.

This is because paper towels are no longer recyclable once they've been contaminated with food grease. The paper towel industry hasn't always been the greenest industry either. You can read all about it in our article on How to Stop Using Paper Towels.

Here’s a hint — you could opt for reusable paper towels!

Incorporating Sustainability into Every Step

The steps I mentioned weren’t just about avoiding plumbing woes; it's a roadmap to more sustainable living. By adopting these simple steps for cooking oil disposal, we're not just protecting our homes—we're making a positive impact on the environment. 

It's a true win-win scenario.

From cooling down to cleaning up, each step is designed with both convenience and sustainability in mind.

Whether you're solidifying oil for easier handling, choosing biodegradable storage options, or contributing to the creation of biodiesel, your efforts contribute to a greener planet.

Where Can I Dispose Of Used Cooking Oil?

You can dispose of used cooking oil or grease properly at specialized sites. Please consult the Green Directory, a nationwide search engine for recycling centers.

Just go to "Green Directory" at the top of this page, enter “cooking oil” and your zip code to find the drop-off recycling locations closest to you.

The Green Directory can find recycling centers for many household items, including grease.

How to Repurpose Old Cooking Oil

Knowing how to dispose of cooking oil also means knowing how to use it for something else. Try these methods:

1. Reuse It in the Kitchen 

Reusing cooking oil can be a game-changer. I've done this myself — you can safely reuse oil two or three times for frying.

Just make sure it still smells good.

Each reuse does lower its smoking point, so it's perfect for foods that don't require super high heat. It's a thrifty trick to stretch your oil a bit further.

2. Craft Homemade Soap

This one's a fun DIY project.

Soap traditionally comes from fat, and used cooking oil is an excellent substitute. I tried this once and was amazed by the results.

It's a satisfying way to recycle oil into something useful and kind to the environment — and your skin!

3. Help Turn It Into Biodiesel

Turning cooking oil into biodiesel isn't just for big restaurants. More and more people are catching onto this.

Biodiesel companies often welcome donations of used cooking oil. It's an incredible way to contribute to a greener planet. Imagine, the oil that once fried your potatoes could power a vehicle!

4. Create Non-Toxic Pest Control

A lesser-known use I've discovered is using the oil as a base for non-toxic pest control solutions. Mixed with a few safe ingredients, it can keep garden pests at bay without harming the environment.

How NOT to Dispose of Cooking Oil and Grease

Ever wondered what NOT to do with used cooking oil and grease? It's super important to know the don'ts as well as the dos.

Let's dive in:

1. Don't Pour It Down the Sink

This one's a biggie. It might seem easy to just pour that liquid oil down the drain while running hot water, right? 

Wrong! 

I've learned the hard way that this oil quickly cools and solidifies, leading to nasty clogs in your pipes and, worse, in the city's sewers. Imagine a traffic jam, but with bacon fat and oil – not pretty!

2. Keep It Out of Your Compost

Now, you might think: "It's plant-based, so why not compost it?" 

Here's the catch — most cooking oils get mixed up with animal fats. And trust me, you don't want to attract rodents and maggots to your compost bin.

They're not just gross; they're a health hazard and can ruin your composting efforts.

3. Don't Mix It with Recycling

Some folks think putting oil in a plastic container or foil-lined bag and tossing it in the recycling bin is the way to go.

Nope. I once saw how a tiny leak can spoil an entire batch of recycling. Oil and grease can contaminate other recyclables, making the whole lot non-recyclable.

It's like one bad apple spoiling the bunch.

By steering clear of these common errors, you'll be doing your home plumbing, local sewer systems, and the environment a huge favor. Plus, you'll save yourself the headache (and cost) of dealing with clogged pipes!

Why Is Discarding Cooking Oil A Problem?

Discarding cooking oil is a problem because of several factors: 

You can use these Compostable Trash Bags from Second Nature Bags specifically for that purpose.

These leak-proof, unscented bags are made using renewable, bio-based materials.

Some of these materials are sugarcane, plant-starches, and, coincidentally, vegetable oils so folks who have a sensitivity to plastics and toxins will have no problem using them.

These Second Nature Bags come in 13-gallon, 7-gallon, and 3-gallon sizes to accommodate different sizes of trash cans you may have in your home.

If you need something smaller, we can recommend getting these 100% Compostable Sandwich Bags. 

Pro Tip: To get the most out of them, use them several times to store fruits, vegetables, or snacks first, then use them one last time as a trash bag for your used cooking oil.

Tips for Reducing the Use of Household Cooking Oil

Here are four tips to reduce the amount of cooking oil and grease waste. 

Use Cooking Oil With A High Smoke Point

The most common oil for deep frying is corn oil, as it has a smoke point of 450 degrees. Some people have also switched to products like peanut oil which has the same smoke point. Coconut oil is also an option, but it has a lower smoke point of 350 degrees. 

While you won’t generally hit those temperatures while cooking, this is a good indication of how long it will last and how many times you can cook with it. 

Deep Fry Less Food

Everybody enjoys some deep-fried food, but we should probably all eat less of it. 

One option to still enjoy some of the good things in life is not to cook french fries in the deep fryer but in the oven instead. There are plenty of great products out there, and you’ll use a lot less oil. 

Invest In An Airfryer

Most things that you would commonly cook in a deep fryer will also taste great out of an air fryer. These still use a small amount of vegetable oil, but it’s nowhere near the amount you’d normally use. 

It’s also an awful lot healthier. 

Buy A Smaller Deep Fryer

If you don't regularly cook food for a large family or parties of friends, then consider buying the smallest deep fryer you can find. 

In a worst-case scenario, you can still prepare food for more people and simply keep it hot in the oven as you cook the food in several batches.

FAQ

Conclusion

From reusing to making biofuel, there are so many inventive ways to get rid of cooking oil and old grease responsibly.

The important thing is to avoid dumping it down the drain, where it will end up blocking the flow and could even end up costing you dearly to call out a plumber. 

So, next time you’re about to pour cooking oil away in your kitchen, think again. There are many eco-friendly recycling centers and biodiesel companies that would love to put your cooking oil or kitchen grease to good use. 

You can find them all by using our Green Directory.