Recycling used cooking oil takes the pressure off your restaurant’s kitchen. It also helps protect the environment and community.
Never pour cooking grease down the drain or toilet! It can clog pipes and contaminate water systems. Instead, let it cool and pour into a clean non-breakable container (like a used milk carton). Then bring it to a recycler that accepts UCO. Check out Septic Tank Services Near Me for more information.
Collection
The best way to recycle used cooking oil is through a local grease collection company. These companies offer services for restaurants, hotels and other food-service businesses that collect and transport the waste to recycling facilities. The waste is then transformed into renewable energy sources such as biodiesel fuel or other products that can be repurposed for use in the food industry and other purposes. These initiatives help reduce the need for fossil fuels, which are a non-renewable resource.
The collection of UCO and animal fats helps stimulate the economy by creating jobs for drivers, collectors and others involved in the process. It also benefits the environment by diverting materials from landfills and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By partnering with a local UCO recycling company, restaurants, delis and other food-service businesses can help make the world a better place.
If restaurants do not properly store their UCO, it can go rancid and clog drains or kitchen equipment. This can be very expensive for the restaurant to fix and may even cause the closure of the business while repairs are made. It is important to store the oil in a cool, dry area with a cap that is tightly sealed. It is a good idea to keep the oil separate from other liquids, such as water and vinegar, because it can react with them and create toxic fumes.
In addition, it is important to keep your UCO tanks secure from would-be thieves. Thieves will often look for unlocked UCO tanks and steal the grease from inside. In some cases, they will even dump motor oil into your UCO container to contaminate it. To avoid this, a restaurant should install an insulated tank for UCO that is specifically designed for outdoor placement and has a lock for security.
Alternatively, restaurants can bring their used cooking oil to a Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County Home Chemical and Recycling Center for proper disposal. However, the restaurants must ensure that the oil is clean and not mixed with any other substances before bringing it to the facility.
Recycling
Cooking oil recycling is the best way to repurpose a product that would otherwise go into waste water or a landfill. It’s also a great way to help the environment by reducing greenhouse gases and relieving the demand for new materials. Many restaurants, delis, hotels and other food service establishments are turning to cooking oil recycling for environmental and financial benefits.
There are several options for cooking oil recycling, including repurposing the oil for cleaning or animal feed. You can also use the oil as an ingredient in other products, such as soap. Using the oil as an ingredient in other products is a good way to avoid waste and save money on supplies. However, it is important to follow the proper storage procedures for UCOs when repurposing them. You should store the oil in a cool, dry place and make sure it is sealed tightly. You should also store the oil away from ovens, refrigerators, and microwaves as it will get hot if it is near those items.
Alternatively, you can recycle the oil by taking it to a local recycling center. Most cities and towns have special facilities that accept hazardous wastes, including cooking oil. You can find a local recycling center by checking online or contacting your city government. Make sure the oil is completely cooled before you pour it into a container for transport. You should also keep the oil separate from other wastes and oils, as it may contaminate them.
The most common option for UCOs is to turn them into biodiesel, which is a clean-burning fuel. This type of fuel can be used in vehicles and to heat buildings. It is also a great alternative to diesel fuel and reduces the emission of air pollutants, such as soot.
To recycle your cooking oil, you should store it in a large, sealable container and take it to a local recycling center for disposal. Most centers will have a receptacle that is labeled “Cooking Oil Recycling.” You should let the oil cool before you pour it into the receptacle, and you should always be careful when handling hot grease.
Reuse
From French fries to fried chicken, restaurants cook up a lot of oil. And when that oil is caput, it must be disposed of properly. Pouring it down the drain can clog pipes, leading to expensive plumbing repairs; while throwing it in the trash can damage the environment. And so the best option is to recycle it, a process known as Used Cooking Oil Recycling (UCO).
When restaurants partner with DAR PRO for UCO pickup and recycling services, they’re demonstrating their commitment to environmental sustainability and efficiency. The service is a seamless, end-to-end solution for restaurant owners to manage their waste and demonstrate to customers they care about the environment.
Unlike other kitchen scraps, such as food particles and peelings, cooking oil doesn’t biodegrade. This means that if it’s disposed of improperly, it can clog sewer systems and cause backups; contaminate waterways and harm marine life; or congeal into “fatbergs” that clog wastewater systems, necessitating costly pipe repair and removal. When it is recycled, however, the cooking oil is converted into renewable diesel fuel or animal feed, reducing the need for oil and fossil-fuel energy.
To recycle UCO, restaurants typically work with a specialist that provides them with tanks to store the dirty oil until it can be collected and hauled away by a truck. Then the oil is taken to a facility where it undergoes an anaerobic digestion process, breaking down and becoming a source of renewable energy.
If you’re a home cook, you can help by storing your used oil in a safe container, and advocating for stricter laws against grease theft. Many states have begun to take the crime seriously, and letting your local lawmakers know you’re paying attention can help push them in that direction.
You can also get involved by asking local restaurants, hotels and other businesses that serve the public if they recycle their cooking oil. While this won’t have as big of an impact as UCO collection and recycling, it shows your support for green initiatives and can encourage them to continue their good work.
Disposal
Used cooking oil isn’t something that should be poured down any sort of drain. Pouring it down sinks, toilets or storm drains will eventually back up the sewage system, which can cause expensive plumbing issues.
Cooking oil that’s poured down the drain or garbage disposal will gel and solidify in the pipes, blocking water flow and causing odors. It can also clog sewer lift stations, limiting the amount of sewage that flows into the wastewater system and potentially resulting in backups into homes.
The best way to dispose of used cooking oil is by working with a company that offers commercial kitchen recycling. Companies like DAR PRO take care of the entire process for restaurants, ensuring their UCO is collected and recycled properly. This helps protect the environment, prevents odors and keeps restaurant plumbing healthy.
UCO should be poured into a sealed container and disposed of at a designated waste management facility that accepts it for recycling. This will help the UCO avoid being diluted or contaminated with other materials during the recycling process and help prevent leaks or spills that could damage the oil’s properties. It’s important to label the container with the kind of oil it contains — different kinds of cooking oil require different recycling processes.
It’s also a good idea to strain the oil through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove any food particles that may be present. UCO can then be recycled for a number of other uses, including biodiesel. Many municipalities offer UCO recycling programs, and it’s likely that restaurants in your area have a program as well.
If you have a large volume of cooking oil that can’t be reused, it’s still better to recycle than to dispose of it. Contact a local foodservice supplier or do an online search to find a service that picks up cooking oil from businesses. Even if you don’t have curbside pickup, there’s likely to be a drop-off spot at a local restaurant (especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas when restaurants have a lot of extra cooking oil on hand). Or, look for a hazardous waste center that accepts UCO.