How to Dispose of Cooking Oil
In commercial kitchens, cooking oil can accumulate quickly, and you need a safe and effective way to dispose of it. We’ve got it! Restaurants and other commercial kitchens must know how to dispose of cooking oil correctly. Proper cooking oil management will result in a more efficient and problem-free kitchen, fewer health and safety risks for your operation, and better sustainability for your business and the environment.
What Not to Do
Before we dive into what the best practices are, it is necessary to emphasize how not to dispose of leftover grease. The most obvious one, do not ever pour oil or grease down the drain. You should never flush grease down the toilet or dump it outside in a yard. When oil or grease goes down drains or pipes, it ends up in the water and makes it harder to process and treat for us to drink. When oil begins to harden over time, it can clog and back up drains and sewer systems.
Proper Cooking Oil Management
The first step is correctly collecting all the leftover oil waste. Using a grease trap will prevent oils, fats, and greases from reaching the drains and sewer system. There are three main ways businesses will dispose of their oil. Most restaurants will contain the oil and store it in leak-proof containers. When the grease cools down, it will harden into a solid. Some even freeze it to ensure it remains in a solid state and will not leak. Other businesses will store the oil if it has only been used once, clean it and reuse it again. If oil is strained through a filter and stored in a fridge, it can last up to 30 days and be used two or three times if done correctly.
However, the most efficient and safe method of how to dispose of grease properly is with an automated oil management system. Avoid collecting and storing the grease at all. A facility services company will bring a truck that connects a hose directly to your grease trap, pumping the oil from your kitchen into a large tank. The grease will then be taken to a recycled center, where it can be converted into a renewable fuel called biodiesel. This non-toxic fuel burns much cleaner than other fuels and does not produce carbon monoxide, making it a much safer alternative. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, biodiesel produced from used cooking oil results in an 86% reduction in greenhouse gasses.
Addilan Group Cooking Oil Management
With our turn-key solution, let us handle your cooking oil removal and recycling. We take the oil directly from your grease traps and ensure your kitchen remains clean, safe, and efficient. As an added benefit for helping reduce your carbon footprint and recycle your grease into safe, reusable fuel, businesses can participate in our rebate program, putting money back into your business at no additional cost. Contact us today to learn more about how Addilan Group can help you properly dispose of your cooking oil.
