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FAQ about Cooking Oil, Grease Disposal and Recycling
(from Texas Commission on Environmental Quality)

Why shouldn't I pour used cooking oil down the drain?

Cooking oil and grease poured down drains can build up in pipes causing backups at home, into streets and the storm drain system. Proper disposal of your cooking oil and other greases and fats will help prevent a sewage backup in your home. Overflows can pose health and environmental hazards, polluting local creeks and rivers.

What about using my garbage disposal, hot water or detergent to wash grease down the drain?

These methods won’t prevent grease from building up in sewer pipes. Home garbage disposals do not remove grease from the plumbing system. Hot water will cool down in pipes causing fats and grease to coagulate. Detergents that claim to dissolve grease may cause blockages to occur further down the pipeline.

What about throwing oil in the trash?

Small amounts of oil can be placed in tightly sealed, unbreakable containers in the trash. It is not recommended to dispose of large amounts in trash as containers may leak, causing problems with garbage trucks and at solid waste facilities.

What should I do with small amounts of fats, oil and grease?

Scrape excess food waste from pots and pans into the garbage after cooking. Wipe pots, pans and cookware “clean” with a disposable towel prior to washing. You can dispose of small amounts of fats, oil and grease in tightly sealed containers in the trash, or save it in a resealable container and take it to a residential cooking oil and grease drop-off location.

May I recycle motor oil, too?

Please do NOT combine motor oil or other automotive waste with cooking oil and grease. Motor oil will contaminate cooking oil and grease and then it cannot be recycled. Keep automotive waste separate from cooking fats.

So, keeping FOG out of the sewer system helps everyone in the community.

FAQ About Cooking Oil, Grease Disposal, & Recycling from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)

Keeping Fats, Oils and Grease out of the Sewer System

Reducing Fats, Oils, and Grease in Your Home or Apartment


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Last updated: November 11, 2010