Guide for Responsible Used Cooking Oil Disposal

Oils of all kinds, such as vegetable oil, canola, peanut, avocado, etc., used in the kitchen may do wonderful things for the texture and taste of the food they're used to prepare, but the cleanup process afterward is not always as pleasant. It's not only your family's health that depends on oil waste being disposed of correctly; it's the health of the whole community and the ecosystem.

In addition, if you dispose of oil improperly, it may invite pests and even cause structural damage to your plumbing or your property. If you follow the right procedures, you may reuse your oil as much as possible and dispose of it in a manner that is safe for your family, your neighbors, and the environment.

Where Can I Dispose of Used Oil in the Philippines

The most essential thing to keep in mind when thinking about used oil recycling and how to dispose of cooking oil, in general, is that you should never put oil or any other kind of grease or fat from cooking down the drain. It may create clogs and even leaks in your house if it cools and hardens.

It's important to keep in mind that even a tiny quantity of grease poured down the drain every day may have a negative impact on your property and the environment over time. So, we collected ideas on how to properly dispose of your used cooking oil:

Option 1. Put it on the compost pile.

Although this may come as a surprise, given that oil is itself fat, soybean, corn, sunflower, grape seed, olive, and coconut-based oil are only some of the crops from which vegetable cooking oil is produced. So, it is okay to throw them into your usual compost pile since they are natural foods. An exception would be if you used animal fat or cooked with meat, both of which may attract insects and rodents.

In fact, worms in the ground like to chow down on some lard. So, the oil and the crawling things below your compost pile will thank you. But there's a catch. Try to cut down on the amount of oil you use in the kitchen since it may entice other creatures than worms. Another concern is that it might lead to a buildup of oil that prevents air and water from circulating.

Option 2. Combine with other solid scrap materials.

Rather than just throwing away wasted cooking oil or engine oil, you may "convert" it into solid garbage by mixing it with other absorbent trash. You may keep it in a designated area like you would with other common home items like sawdust, sand, flour, or cat litter, and then throw it away when you're done.

Evidently, this technique aids in the rapid absorption of the fluids, as well as reduced messiness and assistance from sanitation staff. Also, reusing or recycling cooking oil is another option for making a positive influence on the planet.

Some of the cooking oil recycling ideas you can do are:

- Converting soybean oil into biodiesel.

- Reuse cooking oil as a weed killer or non-toxic insecticide.

- Reuse oil by turning them into soap.

Option 3. Put in a grease trap or a DIY grease disposal system.

A grease disposal system kit is a plastic storage container and bags coated with foil that can store up to 2 pounds each. Simply place a bag inside the container, and then pour cooled, used oil into the bag. Once the trash bag is full, tie it shut and dispose of it normally.

Option 4. Call a household hazardous waste disposal company.

Companies that collect HHW also often collect other types of trash, including medical waste, making this a viable choice with several advantages. In the event that they provide curbside collection, you'll have the option of discarding numerous different kinds of potentially dangerous garbage at once.

Some of the recycling companies in the Philippines are:

- Basic Environmental Systems & Technologies, Inc. (BEST Inc.)

- Envirocycle Inc.

- Geocycle

- RMC Oil and Ecosolutions

- Sentinel UpCycling Technologies

- The Plaf

- Trash Panda

5 Steps in Disposing Of Used Cooking Oil

We've laid out the steps you can take to get rid of your old cooking oil in a manner that's safe, efficient, and kind to the environment so you can do it right at home.

Step 1. Cool the hot oil down first.

Turn off the stove after you're done cooking and allow the oil cool to room temperature. If oil is spilled when it's hot, it may cause serious burns.

Step 2. Filter the cooled oil using a strainer.

If there are leftover food particles or debris in the oil, sift them out using a fine-mesh sieve or a coffee filter.

Step 3. Keep the oil in a dry place.

Pour cooking oil into an airtight container and out of direct sunlight if you want to use it again. You may skip this step if you don't want to recycle cooking oil.

Step 4. Throw away the oil.

Used cooking oil may be disposed of in a few different ways. When you've had enough of using the same oil for cooking and baking, consider the several alternatives we've outlined above.

Step 5. Know the DONTs in disposing of frying oil.

If you want to avoid plumbing problems, environmental damage, and even health risks, you shouldn't dispose of used cooking oil in any of the following ways. When discarding used cooking oil, it's important to keep in mind the following:

Never pour hot oil down the toilet or down a sink drain

This is a very typical error while getting rid of used cooking oil. It's not only an inconvenience, but it may also pose a health risk by clogging pipes and preventing waste from flowing properly.

Don't pour oil or spill them anywhere outside or on the lawn

Plants and animals may be harmed, and the ecosystem may be contaminated.

Make sure you have a proper plan before you dispose of oil in the garbage

Putting oil in the garbage can lead to leaks and spills, both of which are undesirable and even hazardous. When storing oil for later disposal, do it only in a tightly sealed container.

Oil and other liquid waste or chemicals should not be combined.

Mixing oil with other chemicals or liquid wastes can result in a toxic combination that is difficult to dispose of safely. Disposing of used cooking oil in a safe and responsible manner is crucial to community health and safety. Making sure to discard your old cooking oil properly and securely may be done by following the steps outlined in the preceding answer.

Caring for the environment must be our top priority when disposing of waste from our house and lot Philippines. So, if you are considering making a property investment anytime soon, it will be great to consider a developer or community that promotes sustainable neighborhoods and has its own eco-facilities for proper waste disposal.

Lumina Homes, being the leading affordable house and lot provider in the Philippines in terms of innovations, is currently in the process of making its eco-facilities operational to its more than 50 communities nationwide, apart from promoting proper recycling at home.

Choose from a diverse range of affordable house and lot for sale, from townhouses, duplexes, and single firewall units, and start your greener and more sustainable homeownership experience from Lumina Homes!