You use lots of oil for cooking. But what should you do with it when you’re done? Used cooking oil should never be dumped down the drain. Congealed oil contributes greatly to clogged pipes and failing sewer systems. Instead, whether you’re running a restaurant, operating a commercial kitchen, or frying food at home, consider recycling your oil. Waste from restaurants, universities, sports venues, food processors, and even home kitchens can be converted into clean, eco-friendly renewable fuel. Here, we take a closer look at our sources to help you determine what to do with your used cooking oil.
Food Service and Processing
The majority of used cooking oil comes from restaurants and food producers. Deep fryers require large vats of oil to create many of our favorite treats. This oil must be replaced regularly to keep food sanitary and tasting fresh. With constant replenishment, businesses are left with large volumes of waste oil.
Most people think of restaurants, diners, and fast-food eateries as the biggest sources of commercial grease waste. Yet while SeQuential sources plenty of used cooking oil from establishments like these, you might be surprised at other common oil recyclers. Universities, schools, and workplace cafeterias all use oil for deep fryers and other food production. Behind the scenes, a large amount of used cooking oil is also generated by food producers. Oil is also necessary to make your potato chips, corn dogs at the zoo, funnel cake at amusement parks, and more.
Home Kitchens
When thinking about sources of grease, you don’t need to look much further than your own home. Home kitchens might not individually produce as much used cooking oil as commercial settings, but avid home chefs often create more than they may realize. Even this morning’s eggs and bacon can contribute to growing amounts of waste oil.
Though it might seem small, the cooking oil from a home kitchen can still make an impact. Your home’s drainage and sewer connections are not built to handle large amounts of fats, oils, and grease (FOG). In addition to causing fat build-up to clog your pipes, it can also cause backwash and flooding. If you and your neighbors wash FOGs down the drain, it can lead to municipal sewer damage caused by massive clogs that form over time.
Recycling Used Cooking Oil
If you or your business produce used cooking oil, recycling it offers a great way to protect the environment – not to mention your plumbing. Restaurants, food producers, and other commercial entities can schedule collection services from SeQuential at no charge. We provide specialized storage containers to keep waste oil secure and clean, as well as regular pickups to suit your needs.
If you’re an environmentally conscious homeowner, the process is slightly different. Start by letting the oil cool, filtering out any solids, and sealing it in its original container. When you’re ready, you can bring the container to one of our many drop-off locations throughout the West Coast at no charge to you.
Wondering What to Do with Used Cooking Oil? Recycle It
Whether you’re a business owner or an avid cook, you can safely dispose of used cooking oil with help from SeQuential. We offer no-cost commercial cooking oil pickup in most West Coast metro areas, including Seattle, Portland, and Los Angeles to support the production of high-quality renewable fuel at our Salem, OR and Bakersfield, CA facilities. To learn more, contact us online or call 1 (800) 447-3794 today.