Recycling used cooking oil is an important process, and it offers several benefits. From keeping this potentially damaging substance out of your pipes to protecting the environment, you can feel good about recycling. But while it’s easy to see why cooking oil recycling pays off for large commercial kitchens, stadiums, and foodservice businesses, how do you know if you should recycle the used cooking oil from your kitchen as well? To help you decide if you produce enough used oil to participate, SeQuential offers a few insights.
Will I produce enough used cooking oil?
If you’re operating a small restaurant kitchen or other food business, you probably use what seems like a large volume of oil. Compared to a huge arena or college cafeteria, however, that quantity might seem small. The good news is, when you work with a cooking oil collection service like SeQuential, we’ll tailor service to meet your needs. We provide all customers with a free container for disposing of oil, as well as a lock to help keep out trash and prevent theft. We also schedule pickups at a variety of intervals and can help determine the best length of time between collections for your kitchen. We typically aim to set our collection frequencies so that we’re able to collect around 50 gallons per pick-up.
At the beginning, you’ll want to keep a close eye on oil levels inside your container. This helps prevent overflows and ensure that you won’t need to deal with leaks and spills. If you find that your container is filling faster than expected, give us a call. At the same time, if the container isn’t quite full in time for pickup, we can adjust your schedule accordingly. No matter your needs, we’ll help determine the right frequency to make the process effortless.
What are my options beyond pickups?
Luckily, if you find that you do not produce enough cooking oil to necessitate a recycling bin and scheduled pickups, there is a simple alternative. Packaging your used oil in a safe container and bringing it to a drop-off location allows you to dispose of it in an environmentally friendly manner while saving your pipes from potential damage. To properly drop off your cooking oil at one of these locations, follow these steps:
- After cooking is complete, wait until the cooking oil cools completely. Pouring a hot substance can cause burns due to splatters or spills.
- Pour the cooking oil into a sturdy container with a sealed top. Containers like milk jugs or coffee cans work well.
- Place the containers in a secure spot in your vehicle. To prevent the containers from falling over, put them in a cardboard box on the floor.
- Drive to a drop-off location. SeQuential has over two dozen drop-off locations throughout Washington, Oregon, and California where you can bring your oil to be turned into renewable fuel.
Should You Recycle Cooking Oil?
Remember, recycling cooking oil isn’t just the right thing to do for the planet or good for your pipes. Depending on the quantity, quality, and location of your cooking oil, you may be eligible to receive rebates from SeQuential as well. To learn more about our cooking oil collection services, contact us today. We’ll help determine how to best serve your needs and help you take the first steps toward better oil disposal for the production of clean, low carbon renewable fuel.