Used cooking oil is a common by-product from frying or preparing food, whether you’re working in a busy commercial kitchen or cooking meals at home. It’s important not to pour used oil down the sink, as this can block drains and damage pipes. Instead, you should follow safe and legal ways to dispose of it.

Most used cooking oil can be recycled into useful products, such as biofuels. Whether you're a business owner or handling it at home, there are practical ways to dispose of cooking oil properly that are both safe and good for the environment.

This guide explains how to get rid of cooking oil the right way.

Contents

• What to do with used cooking oil
• How businesses should dispose of cooking oil
• How to get rid of cooking oil at home
• Tips for vegetable oil disposal
• Cooking oil recycling
• Why cooking oil recycling matters
• The recycling process
• Setting up a collection service
• Learn more about waste oil disposal

What to Do With Used Cooking Oil

Disposing of cooking oil depends on whether it's from a business or a household. The general rule is not to pour it down the drain. This causes blockages and can damage your plumbing. Even pouring hot water after it won’t help – it just moves the problem further along the pipe.

The best thing to do is reuse the oil where possible or store it safely for collection or recycling. In the sections below, we’ll cover options for both commercial kitchens and homes.

How Businesses Should Dispose of Cooking Oil

Restaurants, cafés, takeaways and food manufacturers must follow the law when getting rid of used oil. The Food Safety Act 1990 and the Food Standards Agency’s guidelines require proper handling, storage and collection of waste oil.

Businesses must not mix cooking oil with other types of food waste. Doing so can cause spills, bad smells and contamination that may prevent waste from being collected. Pouring oil into drains or sewers is against the law and can result in heavy fines.

Used oil should be stored in sealed, leak-proof containers. The size and type of container will depend on how much waste oil your business produces. Some sites use small barrels, while larger operations may have bulk tanks.

You must then book a licensed waste carrier to collect the oil. They will remove the waste and take it to a recycling site or appropriate disposal facility. This ensures your business meets its duty of care under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

How to Get Rid of Cooking Oil at Home

If you fry food at home, it’s likely you’ll have small amounts of oil left over. Unlike businesses, households have a few simple and flexible options:

Reuse it – You can reuse cooking oil once or twice. Filter it through a coffee filter or sieve to remove bits, then store in a container in a cool, dark place.

Let it solidify – If you only have a small amount, let it cool and then freeze or refrigerate it until solid. You can then throw it in your general waste bin.

Mix it with absorbent materials – Combine small amounts of oil with sawdust, cat litter or even paper scraps before binning. This helps soak it up and prevents leaks.

Use a sealed container – Pour tiny amounts into a non-recyclable container, seal it and put it in your general waste bin.

Take it to a recycling centre – Some local centres accept used cooking oil. You’ll need to store it in a container with a tight lid and check what your council accepts.

Tips for Vegetable Oil Disposal

Vegetable oil comes from plant sources and includes types like olive, sunflower and corn oil. It can be disposed of in the same ways as other cooking oils.

If you use it at home, you can compost a small amount by adding it to a pile with lots of dry material. Don’t use too much, though. Oil can slow down composting because it blocks airflow and prevents moisture from moving freely.

Only compost a little bit at a time and mix it well with cardboard, twigs or dry leaves to keep the balance right.

Cooking Oil Recycling

Rather than throwing it away, cooking oil can be turned into new materials. When recycled, oil is often used to produce fuel alternatives like biodiesel. It can also be used to make soaps and cleaning products.

Small amounts of cooking oil can sometimes go in food waste bins, but larger quantities should be collected separately by a recycling company. Keeping oil out of landfill helps reduce pollution and avoids the risk of fire hazards from flammable materials.

Why Cooking Oil Recycling Matters

Used oil still has value. When you recycle it, the oil is cleaned and turned into biofuel or repurposed into products like animal feed, detergents or cosmetics.

Recycling oil reduces the need to make new oil from raw materials, which cuts down on energy use. It also keeps drains and sewers clear by stopping oil from being poured away.

Biofuel made from waste oil can be used to heat buildings, generate electricity or run vehicles. These fuels produce fewer harmful gases and help reduce carbon emissions.

The Recycling Process

Once cooking oil is collected, it’s taken to a recycling facility. Here’s what happens next:

1. Quality check – The oil is inspected for colour and clarity. This shows how much cleaning it needs.
2. Cleaning – The oil is filtered to remove food bits and debris. It’s usually warmed to help separate out anything solid.
3. Filtering – After removing larger bits, the oil goes through fine filters to remove smaller particles.
4. Conversion – Once clean, it’s taken to a site where it’s converted into biodiesel. This process changes it into a liquid fuel used in various industries.

Setting Up a Cooking Oil Collection Service

If your business regularly produces used oil, you can book a collection service. This includes a free bin or drum for you to store oil safely on site. Collections can be arranged as a one-off or on a regular schedule.

A licensed carrier will collect the oil and take it to a recycling site. Most companies offer daily, weekly or fortnightly pickups depending on how much waste you have. This makes it easy to stay compliant without any extra effort.

Our network of licensed providers offers reliable collection services across the country. No matter where your business is based or what sector you’re in, we can help set up a cooking oil collection that suits your needs.

Get a Quote for Used Oil Collection

To arrange used cooking oil collection, just get in touch with Expert Compare. We can connect you with local, licensed waste carriers who will provide secure containers and collect your oil on a schedule that works for you.

Start comparing services and book your collection today. Keeping your business compliant and your waste under control has never been easier.