Grease, fat, and oil are all used in food preparation, especially fried foods. If you only use a small amount of oil or the food you are frying only produces a small amount of fat, you can dispose of it in the trash. However, for more significant amounts, recycling grease and oil is a better option, and there are some ways to do it you may not have considered.
Recycling Grease
Grease from food can be used in many products after it is rendered and cleaned, but recycling the grease is the first step in the process. Restaurants often have grease containers that they can put large amounts of cooking oil and grease into for recycling, and the company providing these containers will come and pick up the grease every few weeks.
The grease is then taken to a storage facility to await recycling or sold to companies that need it for products they manufacture. Biofuel producers, animal feed manufacturers, and even cosmetic companies all use the grease leftover from the cooking process to make their products.
Smaller Quantity Recycling
For homeowners that use grease in a fryer and need to dispose of several gallons at a time, recycling it can be a little more challenging. Some local restaurants will allow you to put the grease in their storage tank, but always ask before putting it in the tank.
Another option is to check with the local landfill or transfer station and see if they have a recycling program for cooking grease and oils. Most do have a storage tank similar to the restaurant, and they will accept grease and oil that is used but is not full of food or other materials.
If you have a large fryer and have more than five gallons of grease or oil to get rid of, contact a local grease recycler and have them collect it. The recycler will often provide a container for you to put the material in, and then pick it up for you when it is full.
Biofuel Production
Making biofuel from used grease and oil is not unheard of, but finding someone to take the oil locally is not always simple. The grease and oil need processing before converting it to fuel, and most producers buy the oil already clean and ready for production.
Small fuel producers or someone making biofuel at home may be interested in taking the grease and oil you have, but you will need to do some research to find these places. Searching online or in the local classifieds is a good place to start.
Keep these tips in mind when looking for grease recycling services near you.
