I want to know how to dispose of used cooking oil?

Sandy Wegmann
by Sandy Wegmann
I have a bottle that has been in the fridge (used once to fry French fries) for quite a while and I think it is too old to use again, safely! I know you should not pour this type of thing down the drain or sewer, and since I am good about recycling and disposing of hazardous waste properly, I thought perhaps someone would have a suggestion? Can it be dumped into a compost pile? Sandy
  17 answers
  • William William on Mar 22, 2017

    DO NOT dump into a compost pile. It will not break down. Compost piles are for organic material only.


    For fats that solidify, let them do so, then pitch them in your regular garbage. Chill grease in the fridge if you need to get it to harden up. For ones that don't solidify, pour them into a sealable (hopefully non-recyclable) bottle, and throw the whole container away with your regular garbage.


    http://www.wikihow.com/Dispose-of-Cooking-Oil

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 22, 2017

    lets put this in prospective ,beside the fact the oil will not beak down,please realize you are opening a huge disaster with wild rodents.

  • Shoshana Shoshana on Mar 23, 2017

    I think you're better off throwing it out like William suggests.

  • Swan Road Designs Swan Road Designs on Mar 23, 2017

    If you have a dog or dogs. Sprinkle a tiny bit of the oil over their food each day. It won't harm them and will aid in giving a shiny coat. Otherwise, just seal the bottle tightly and put it in with your regular trash.

  • Linda K Linda K on Mar 23, 2017

    Put Dawn or some other dish soap in the pan. Put a liberal amount. Let the hot water from the faucet fill the pan with the soap. Let this sit for an hour or so. Pour down the sing and let the hot water from the faucet rinse out the sink and let it run for 15 20 seconds. I've never had a problem with grease. The soap emulsifiers the grease. Just flush it down the sink.

  • Yom20985858 Yom20985858 on Mar 23, 2017

    I AM ALWAYS WASHING MY HANDS. SO I STARTED PUTTING ALL THE PILE OF PAPER TOWELS IN A GALLON ZIPLOC FOR THE DAY. BEEN USING THEM TO CLEAN DOGGY MESSES OR I POUR USED OIL IN THEM. THEN I SEAL THEM AND TRASH'EM. THAT WAY, WHEN SOMEONE CARRIES OUT THE TRASH, THEY DON'T GET OIL ON THEM OR LEAKS ALLOVER. A BOTTLE THO? I GUESS JUST LEAVE IT AND TRASH IT. ( SORRY FOR CAPS, VISUALLY IMPAIRED)

  • Barb Calder Barb Calder on Mar 23, 2017

    All good idea's, I would just throw it into the trash can on pickup day.


  • Sandy Wegmann Sandy Wegmann on Mar 25, 2017

    All good ideas. I think I will divide it up into small jars and toss in garbage. Right now it is in the original container (thin plastic Mazola bottle) and I can just see it getting crushed and exploding all over the garbage truck when they compact it!! Thanks, guys!!

  • Dee14661021 Dee14661021 on Mar 27, 2017

    oil can be used as lights - just put oil in jar w/wick for patio light

    you could also use as fire starter if you "make " oil and paper bricks

  • Sandy Wegmann Sandy Wegmann on Mar 28, 2017

    Thanks, Dee! Patio time coming -- I will pick up a couple wicks at Michaels! Maybe I could add a few drops of Lavender oil so it will smell nice while it burns!

  • B J  Alexis B J Alexis on Mar 29, 2017

    Do not pour down the drain. I have a separate container for "wet" garbage, into which on garbage day I pour oil or grease which is absorbed by used coffee grounds or wet paper towels and throw out. If you have a lot it may take several "garbage days" to get rid of all the oil. Any plumber will tell you never put oil or grease down a drain--though it may work for others, it may not work with your plumbing.

  • Colleen Colleen on Mar 29, 2017

    Call your local restaurants (Taco Bell) they have ways of recycling used oil. Also places like Jiffy Lube recycle used motor oil. They might take it.

  • Ella Frierson Bond Ella Frierson Bond on Mar 29, 2017

    Some cities have recycle places for cooking oil. It can made into Biodiesel ! If not call some of your larger restaurants and ask if you can add to theirs.

    • Sandy Wegmann Sandy Wegmann on Mar 30, 2017

      Thanks! I may try to use it in homemade patio torches this summer -- good use for the Mason jars and seashells for a DIY project -- I found some wicks I can use!

  • Hea22350963 Hea22350963 on Apr 10, 2017

    I wonder if it would be possible to pour old cooking oil on the ally behind our yard? The dust from the ally is so bad that I am trying to find any ideas that would shorten my house dusting time.

  • Melissa Kirson Potter Melissa Kirson Potter on Apr 10, 2017

    Recycling centers usually take used oil. It can be used for some heaters and even some alternative fuel vehicles. or put an ad on Craigslist to see who wants your used oil for free. set the oil outside your home at a specified time so you don't let a stranger into your home.

  • Daphne Cody Hinds Daphne Cody Hinds on Apr 23, 2021

    I get rid of used cooking oil by pouring a little bit of it over the dry food I feed my dogs.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Apr 23, 2021

    You should pour it into a non recyclable container like a milk carton. If you don't have a container that seals, mix with flour or some other substance similar and then you can throw it away. It is compostable in small quantities. Check with local restaurants to see if they collect it.