Used Cooking Oil Recycling Program

COOKING OIL


FATS, OILS and GREASE - these are commonly referred to as F.O.G. All cooking oils – including frying oil, and bacon and hamburger drippings - can cause problems in home plumbing, the sewage collection system, and even septic systems.

WHY COLLECT USED COOKING OIL?

F.O.G., which includes used cooking oils, can be a serious problem for home plumbing and Palm Beach County's wastewater collection system. Cooking oil that’s poured down the sink - even if followed with hot water or soap; or flushed down the toilet; or put down the garbage disposal doesn’t disappear. It can gel and solidify into thick layers inside drainpipes, sewage pipelines, and sewage lift stations, constricting water flow and possibly backing up home plumbing. It’s messy, smelly and costly to clean up.  If you have used residential cooking oil and grease, we want it.

clogged-pipe

EXAMPLES OF OILS & GREASE THAT WE COLLECT

Canola oil
Olive oil
Soybean oil
Corn oil
Peanut oil
Sunflower oil
Lard
Sesame oil
Vegetable oil


PUT GREASE WHERE IT BELONGS

To recycle cooking oil properly here’s what you can do:

  • Allow the used cooking oil to cool.
  • Carefully pour the used, cooled cooking oil into a large, sturdy plastic or wax-coated leak proof container, such as the original container or a juice carton, no larger than 5-gallons in size.
  • Cap the container so it is secure.
  • Store the container in a cool, safe location until it is full.
  • Don’t mix the grease with any other liquids or products.
  • Once the container is full, bring it to a Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County Home Chemical and Recycling drop off location.

WHERE CAN I TAKE COOKING OIL?

Palm Beach County residents can bring their used residential cooking oil to any of the Solid Waste Authority’s Home Chemical and Recycling Centers.

Used Cooking Oil Drop-Off Facility Signage

OTHER USEFUL TIPS TO BE A GREASE BUSTER

  • Pour leftover grease and cooking oil into a separate container. Cool and dispose of as noted above.
  • Before washing pots, pans and dishes, scrape leftover food into the trash can or use paper towels to clean out the residue.
  • Clean out grease and leftover foods from the sink, and put into the trash.
  • Teach your children to follow your grease-fighting example.

HOW IS COOLING OIL RECYCLED?

Cooking oil can be recycled in several ways. Because of its BTU value it is commonly made into a fuel that can be run in diesel engines. Bio-diesel is usually made by a chemical conversion process but some companies can also ultra filter the oil for direct use as a fuel. Cooking oils and greases are also used in producing feedstocks and fertilizers, or made into products such as cosmetics and soaps.

OTHER RESOURCES

This used cooking oil drop off program is for residential cooking oil only.

Commercial and industrial customers must contact a licensed commercial grease hauler for cooking oil disposal options.