What Are The Proper Methods of Disposing Used Cooking Oils and Fats?

Whether you’re deep-frying, browning mince meat or cooking bacon, you often end up with leftover cooking oil and grease.

Now, we know how tempting it is to pour that excess cooking oil down the sink but trust us there are better ways of getting rid of your excess oil. If you pour it down the sink, it can lead to severe clogs and blockages and cause damage to your pipes, sewerage system and the wider environment.

But what is the best way to get rid of all that leftover cooking oil?

What Are The Best Practices For Disposing of Cooking Oils?

Reuse Your Cooking Oil

If you have cooked up something like steak, mince or have deep fried some chicken, chances are you have a lot of used oil and grease. By pouring it into a safe container and popping it in the fridge, you can reuse it several more times depending on the type of oil it is. Don’t reuse oil that has been stored for more than 1 - 2 months.

Chill The Oil Until Solid

Pour excess cooking oil into an old jam jar or container and pop it into the freezer or fridge. Once the oil is solid enough to come out of the jar in one piece, it is ready to be thrown into the bin. Consider using a piece of paper towel to wipe away any remaining oil before you put it in the bin.

If you don’t have enough oil for a whole jar, pour it into a mug and put it in the fridge. When it solidifies, scrap it into the bin.

Compost It

If you have access to a composting bin, it is ok to compost a small amount of your leftover cooking oil. However, it is important to note that only vegetable oils can be composted. Composting animal products will attract pests and slow down the decomposition process.

Call The Professionals

If you own a commercial kitchen, small cafe or restaurant, it is properly best to call the professionals. There a loads of waste disposal companies in Sydney that specialise in getting rid of large amounts of cooking oil. By using a professional company, you make sure that the oil is disposed of correctly, reducing the impact on your plumbing systems and the environment.

Why Do I Need To Dispose of Leftover Cooking Oils Properly Matter?

When cooking oil is disposed of incorrectly, it can cause serious damage to plumbing systems, leading to blockages and expensive repairs.

• Sewer Blockages: When you pour leftover oildown the drain, fats, oils and grease can easily stick to pipes and solidify. This creates a barrier leading to slow-draining water, foul smells and even sewage backups. If you continue to pour oil down the sink, it creates what is known as a “fatberg”. And trust us, you don’t want to deal with one of those.

• Environmental Impact: When used cooking oil is shipped off to landfill, it releases harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and climate change.

• Effect Marine Life: Old cooking oil, fats and grease make their way through council plumbing infrastructure and into local waterways. As used cooking oil isn’t biodegradable, it doesn’t break down easily. It creates a thick layer of grease on the surface of the water, suffocating aquatic life and coating the feathers of native shorebirds; disrupting the natural balance of the ecosystem.

• Fire Hazard: If you leave used cooking oil on the stove or don’t dispose of it correctly, it can easily ignite and catch alight. Due to the amount of fat and grease in the oil, the fire has the potential to spread quickly through your home, putting your family at risk.

• Attract Pests: When cooking oil is thrown away incorrectly, it attracts vermin like mice and rats to your home, affecting your property and putting your family at risk of potential health issues.

Local Sydney Plumbers

Disposing of used cooking oil incorrectly can have a significant negative impact on the planet. It can pollute water sources, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and pose serious fire hazards. By recycling or composting your leftover cooking oil properly, we can reduce these effects.

If you have any questions about disposing of your leftover cooking oil properly, don’t hesitate to contact our professional plumbing team at (02) 8188 5339 or fill out our online booking form today.

References

Waste Clear: How To Dispose of Cooking Oil: https://wasteclear.com.au/how-to-dispose-of-cooking-oil/

Mahoney Environmental: What Are The Dangers of Pouring Cooking Oil Down The Drain: https://www.mahoneyes.com/blog/the-dangers-of-pouring-cooking-oil-down-the-drain/ 

Beyond Oil: Navigating the Environmental Challenges of Used Cooking Oil Disposal:  https://www.beyondoil.co/blog/cooking-oil-waste 

DCM Plumbing: Cooking Oil. Can You Put it down the sink, how to dispose of it properly and more: https://dcmplumbing.com.au/cooking-oil-how-to-dispose-of-it-can-you-put-it-down-the-sink/#:~:text=It%20can%20clog%20your%20drains,odours%2C%20and%20even%20sewage%20backups.