Cooking oil is an integral part of every kitchen, but disposing of it after use can pose a big problem for many households and restaurants. In Ohio, improper disposal of food grease, oils, and fats can cause environmental pollution, such as harm to aquatic life and damage to local sewage pipes. Over time, recycling cooking oil has increasingly become a popular choice for Ohioans.
But what exactly does it mean to dispose of cooking oil? Your immediate thought might be to just dump cooking oil down the drain since it is a type of liquid. But that is not the correct way to get rid of used cooking oil, especially for anyone who is running a commercial kitchen.
Below, we will share how to recycle cooking oil in Ohio and address some common questions you may have regarding the disposal and recycling of cooking oil.
State Regulations for Recycling Cooking Oil in Ohio
It is important to understand the state and local regulations pertaining to cooking oil disposal to avoid any legal hassles, especially if you are unsure of how to dispose of cooking oil properly. In Ohio, all commercial food establishments are mandated by law to store and collect their used cooking oils for proper disposal.
Residents are also encouraged to properly recycle their kitchen grease. As the generator, it is your responsibility to ensure that your cooking oil is handled properly once you’re done cooking.
To learn more about the specific laws related to the recycling of cooking oil in your specific city or county, learn more on the Ohio EPA site. Further information such as used oil processors and refiners’ facilities, such as Green Mountain Products, and an in-depth FAQ section are great resources to be found there.
Why should you recycle cooking oil?
There are a number of different reasons as to why you should recycle cooking oil. From reducing environmental impacts to preventing clogging in pipes, recycling cooking oil is a positive across the board. Some of the key reasons to recycle cooking oil include:
- Recycling cooking oil helps to protect the environment by keeping cooking oil out of landfills, sewers, and waterways.
- Recycled cooking oil can be used to produce biofuels, such as biodiesel and biogas, which helps to lessen our reliance on fossil fuels and support the local economy.
- Recycling cooking oil also helps to prevent blockages in plumbing systems. Blockages can lead to large, costly repairs – both in your plumbing and the larger sewage system around you.
How to recycle cooking oil in Columbus, Ohio?
To recycle cooking oil at home, you can pour the cooled oil into a clean, dry container with a tight-fitting lid. Then, you can take the oil to a collection site or a local organization that accepts used cooking oil. Some options include the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill, the SWACO Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off program, and the Columbus Public Health Oil Recycling Program.
Organizations like those can help to ensure that your cooking oil is recycled properly. Alongside those organizations, you can also work with our team here at Green Mountain Products for the safe and proper handling of your cooking oil.
Green Mountain Products is one of the leading companies in Columbus, Ohio when it comes to recycling cooking oil. We provide waste cooking oil recycling services to customers at a regional level – from Central Ohio to West Virginia. Our company operates an environmentally friendly fleet of trucks that pick up used cooking oil and grease from restaurants, grocery stores, and other commercial establishments.
We are wholly focused on bringing innovative solutions to our customers, no matter the industry you are in.
What types of cooking oil can you recycle?
Most types of cooking oil can be recycled including:
- Vegetable oil
- Canola oil
- Olive oil
- Peanut oil
- Sunflower oil
However, highly saturated fats, such as lard and bacon grease, should not be recycled. They can clog pipes and cause issues with the recycling process.
It’s also important to note that if your oil has been mixed with other substances, such as food particles or cleaning chemicals, it may not be accepted by recycling facilities.
If you’re unsure about whether your oil can be recycled, feel free to get in contact with our team.
Can Dirty Cooking Oil Be Recycled?
When it comes to dirty cooking oil, your first thought might not be that it is something that can be recycled. But the good news is that cooking oil can be recycled. It can be filtered and recycled for other purposes.
Recycling cooking oil is great for a number of different reasons including:
- Keeping pipes and sewage systems from becoming clogged
- Reducing potential environmental harm to wildlife and surrounding ecosystems
- Reducing potential damage to your own grease trap system
How is Frying Oil Recycled?
There are a few different ways that frying oil can be recycled. The way that works best for you will depend on whether you are just recycling from your own home or from your business with a commercial or industrial kitchen.
To recycle used frying and cooking oil at home, you will want to:
- Let the oil cool before pouring it into a clean, dry container that has a lid.
- Take the oil to a collection site or any local organization that accepts used cooking oil. In Columbus, Ohio, potential options for cooking oil collection include the SWACO Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off program and the Franklin County Landfill.
Organizations like the above have the facilities and expertise to properly handle waste cooking oil recycling in Columbus. And while you certainly use cooking oil at home, the amount of cooking oil used in a commercial or industrial kitchen is going to be significantly more than what an individual person will use to cook.
So, how do commercial and industrial kitchens recycle their grease?
- Used cooking oil will need to be collected, just as it would need to be collected in someone’s home. Business owners will need to ensure that some sort of collection method is in place, such as a grease trap.
- Do not put used cooking oil down the drain. This will help ensure that your pipes, drains, and the sewage system at large do not become blocked or clogged.
- Schedule regular grease pickups with a company like Green Mountain Products Inc. We offer high-quality waste cooking oil recycling services in Columbus to businesses in all industries, including restaurants and grocery stores.
- Set up a regular grease trap maintenance schedule. This keeps old grease from accumulating and it helps to ensure that your grease trap is maintained and pumped regularly.
How to prepare cooking oil for recycling?
Before recycling cooking oil, make sure it’s cooled down to room temperature. Hot oil can cause injury and pose a fire hazard.
Strain the oil to remove any food particles, such as crumbs or herbs. Such food particles can clog pipes.
Store the oil in a clean, dry container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent spills and leaks.
Research local businesses and organizations that accept cooking oil for recycling
There are numerous local businesses and organizations that accept used cooking oil for recycling in Ohio. You can contact these businesses directly to find out more about how they can recycle your cooking oils responsibly or if you have questions about the recycling process.
To find the nearest business or organization to you, doing a simple search online will usually yield results. Green Mountain Products is among the organizations that you will find. We are based in Columbus and are a leader in the food-waste recycling industry for Ohioans like yourself.
We collect used cooking oil from restaurants and other commercial institutions. From there, we filters the cooking oil, and then recycle it into renewable biodiesel fuel.
You can reach out to find out more about our waste cooking oil recycling services in Columbus today. And we can also work with you to set up an efficient collection system should you need ongoing collection.
Frequently asked questions about recycling cooking oil
Q: Is it safe to dispose of cooking oil down the drain?
A: No. Disposing of cooking oil down the drain can cause clogs and blockages in pipes and sewers, leading to costly repairs.
Q: Can I reuse cooking oil?
A: Yes, in some cases, cooking oil can be reused. However, it’s important to monitor the oil for spoilage, such as a rancid smell, and to strain it between uses. This helps to ensure that you’re not using spoiled oil.
Q: What Happens to Cooking Oil Once It Has Been Recycled?
Once cooking oil has been recycled, it can be used for a number of different purposes. Some common ways recycled cooking oil is used include:
- Fuel sources
- Natural pesticides and insect repellant
- Lubrication
- Skin moisturizer
- Hair conditioner
- Soap making
- Lubrication
Recycling used cooking oil is a great way to help conserve resources and reduce overall waste. It is a much more sustainable option to choose across all fronts that saves you money in the long term.
Recycling cooking oil is a sustainable alternative option that benefits both the environment and the local economy. In Columbus, Ohio, our team here at Green Mountain Products provides waste cooking oil recycling services and collection.
By following the guidelines for preparing, storing, and disposing of cooking oil, you can do your part in promoting a greener, cleaner Ohio that is focused on a sustainable future.