How to Properly Dispose of Used Cooking Oil

It’s common to have a lot of excess grease and oil after cooking. Some people like to dump this oil down the drain without giving it a second thought. Unfortunately, this can cause problems. In today’s post, Handyman Connection® of Eden Prairie explains why you should never dump cooking oil down your drain and gives tips to help you properly dispose of cooking oil.

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Why You Shouldn’t Pour Used Cooking Oil Down the Drain

Pouring cooking oil down the drain can wreak havoc on your drainage system and even cause problems with your area’s sewer system. Here’s what happens. When you pour oil down the drain, it makes its way through your pipes and into the sewer. It then joins with your areas’ wastewater. 

This wastewater has a lot of chemicals in it. When the fatty acids in the oil bond with calcium, they create a waxy, soapy compound. This compound forms into fatty blobs that grow and grow over time. This fatty compound can also form in your pipes if you keep on pouring oil into the drain. This can eventually damage the pipes and cause it to clog.

How to Dispose of Used Cooking Oil

The best way to dispose of cooking oil and grease is to pour them into a sealable container that you can then throw away. The plastic bottles that many cooking oils are packaged in are a good choice. You can also use coffee cans, large glass jars or even old plastic milk cartons. In some areas, you can also recycle the oil. You can take the bottled oil to a recycling center where it will be converted into biofuels.

Now that you know how to properly dispose of cooking oil, you won’t experience the problems we’ve discussed above. Handyman Connection of Eden Prairie is your go-to resource for all of your home improvement needs. We’re known for delivering first-class craftsmanship and superior customer service. Call us at (952) 777-4875 to learn more about our services and products, or to ask for an estimate.