Used cooking oil is a resource that can be used in a number of different ways, especially when it has been recycled properly by companies like Green Mountain Products, LLC. Here at Green Mountain Products specifically, we operate a fleet of environmentally friendly trucks that pick up used cooking oil from restaurants, grocery stores, and other commercial establishments to recycle used cooking oil to be used for the bio diesel and animal feed industries. Our Columbus used cooking oil recycling is legitimate and is something we have been doing for decades.
But companies like ours are not the only ones who may be interested in the used cooking oil generated by restaurants and commercial kitchens. Thieves are also interested in used cooking oil and will go to some length to steal it from restaurants and commercial kitchens.
So, why exactly are thieves interested in used cooking oil and how can you protect your used oil from them?
Why are Thieves Stealing Used Cooking Oil?
While we might not immediately think of used cooking oil as something that might be of interest to thieves, it is something that thieves are interested in stealing. A long story short, used cooking oil can be worth quite a bit of money – particularly in the eyes of thieves who may be looking to sell it on the black market.
As you may know from working with Green Mountain Products for your Columbus used cooking oil recycling, used cooking oil can be recycled into a number of different things including fuel sources. With the demand for fuel always there, and a heavier focus on renewable fuel sources in some countries, thieves see used cooking oil as a goldmine of sorts.
In 2017, Bloomberg reported that a black market for “golden gunk” (used cooking oil) was growing. Demand for renewable energy and fuel is high, therefore the interest from thieves will be high as well who are looking to make money on their stolen goods.
What Do Thieves Do with Used Cooking Oil?
Thieves who steal used cooking oil are usually doing so by siphoning cooking oil from the containers that commercial kitchens keep them in. They may siphon the used cooking oil from these containers into vans or other vehicles with barrels in the back.
From there, the thieves will take the used cooking oil and find some way to recycle it into fuel sources.
How to Prevent Kitchen Grease Theft
Now that we know why thieves are interested in stealing your used cooking oil, how can you take steps to prevent kitchen grease theft?
- Secure your used cooking oil and grease. This may include moving your used cooking oil inside or by securing it inside of a shed that can be locked.
- Install lighting that will illuminate the area where your grease is collected. This can help deter thieves since they will not want to be seen. You may even want to consider a motion detection light.
- Make use of cameras on your property. Be sure to point cameras towards the containers where you store your cooking oil and grease and any fencing that surrounds your property. This will help give you extra visuals in case thieves attempt to steal from you.
- Monitor the grease levels in your containers. If you notice levels are low and your normal service provider has not picked up any oil recently, this may be a sign of theft.
- If you cannot place oil containers inside, consider using containers that can be locked.
- Work with a reputable service provider for your Columbus used cooking oil recycling like Green Mountain Products. We will be able to provide you with proof of our service and guide you through the process of how we handle your used cooking oil from pick up to recycling.
If you notice signs of theft or believe you may have been stolen from, be sure to report any cases to local law enforcement.
Connect with Green Mountain Products for Columbus Used Cooking Oil Recycling
If you need a reputable and trusted service provider to handle your Columbus used cooking oil recycling, look no further than Green Mountain Products. We are a family-owned and operated business based in Columbus, Ohio that focuses on the recycling of animal and vegetable oils.
To learn more about how we can help recycle your used cooking oil, reach out to us over the phone at 740-217-8300 or by contacting us online.