How to Dispose of Cooking Oil Right Way

I love frying up chile rellenos, but it leaves me with a pan full of spent oil. Occasionally, I’ve dumped it down the drain, especially when I didn’t have easy access to a junk can or jar to pour it in. However, I’ve now amended my ways. Even though it isn’t as toxic as motor oil or gasoline, improperly disposing of cooking oil can still damage your home and the environment, plus it costs cities millions a year in sewer cleaning.

“Used cooking oil never vanishes down a drain; it congeals like cholesterol,” says cooking oil recycler Jorge Argota. “Whatever the volume, it invites clogs, rancid odors and basement backups for you and everyone downhill.”

Whether you have just a few tablespoons or a whole turkey fryer full, here’s how and where to safely dispose of cooking oil.

Why Proper Cooking Oil Disposal Is Important

When you pour oil down the drain, some of it will cling to the inside of your pipes. Once there, it will continue to trap other debris for months or even years. “Even small amounts poured down the drain can cause big problems,” says recipe developer Marissa Stevens. “Over time, that can lead to clogs you can’t see until they cause damage.”

Local Laws & Regulations on Cooking Oil Disposal

Because of the damage and expense it creates for town sewer systems, most municipalities have fats, oils and grease ordinances (aka FOGs) against disposing of large amounts of oil in home sinks. Those regulations also require grease traps in restaurants. To find the FOGs in your area:

• Search online for your city + FOG;
• Call 311 to talk to the local public works department; or
• Call your city or county’s recycling or solid waste department, or check their website.

How To Dispose of Cooking Oil Safely

“At home the rule is simple: cool, contain, recycle,” says Argota.

For small quantities, like a half cup or less: Let the oil cool down, then wipe it up with a paper towel and toss it in the trash. To decrease the mess, mix it with baking powder, kitty litter or another plant-based solidifier.

For a few cups: Put it into a sealed container, like a jar or milk carton, before putting it in the trash. “If the oil is still clean, I often strain and reuse it,” says Stevens.

For larger amounts, like a deep fryer or Dutch oven’s worth: Strain it back into the oil jug or another sturdy container, then take it to a cooking oil recycler or household hazardous waste center.

How To Find Where to Dispose of Cooking Oil Near Me

Earth911’s cooking oil recycler locator keeps an updated list of drop-offs nationwide, or try an internet search for “cooking oil disposal near me.”

In some areas, there are collection companies that specialize in recycling, disposing and picking up used cooking oil.
Check your country’s solid waste or public works department website, or with your local recycling or waste management services company. Around the holidays, fire stations and transfer stations will also often set up collection points.

For example, in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, residents are allowed to drop off up to 25 gallons of used cooking oil per day at the county’s Resource Recovery Park, says waste removal expert Jordan Grissman. Many other municipalities offer similar options for getting rid of used cooking oil, too.

FAQ

Can you pour cooking oil down the drain?

No, it’s not a good idea, and depending on the amount and your location, it might also be illegal. “It’s important to dispose of cooking oil properly because pouring it down the drain can clog pipes and harm the environment,” says Grissman.

About the Experts

• Jorge Argota is co-founder of Grease Connections, a company that recycles used cooking oil, audits commercial kitchens across the Southeast and helps cities turn fryer waste into biodiesel. He has guided more than 400 restaurants since 2024.
• Marissa Stevens is a recipe developer and founder of Pinch and Swirl, where she shares well-tested recipes for everyday meals, along with advice about what to do with food waste.
• Jordan Grissman is owner of Grissman Dumpsters in Wisconsin.

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