How to dispose of Cooking Oil

There are a few options to safely and sustainably dispose of cooking oil. Cooking oil should not be poured down the drain or flushed down the toilet, as it can easily cause clogged pipes once the oil has cooled.

Always check with your local council about how to responsible dispose of used cooking oil.

Sources:

  • Reuse

    Reuse oil

    Oil can be reused a couple of times by straining it through a sieve or cheese cloth after each use. Ensure the oil is cool to touch (not boiling hot) before doing this.
  • Home compostable

    Add oil to compost

    Vegetable oils and olive oils can be disposed of in your home compost bin. However, be sure to only add small amounts at a time as large amounts can be detrimental to the soil.
  • Return to Collection Point

    Drop off at a Recycling Centre

    Used oil can actually be recycled! Place it in a container and drop it off at a recycling facility that accepts oil. Cooking oils can be recycled into products such as bio-fuel, cosmetics, detergents and stockfeed. Visit Planet Ark website for more info.
  • General waste

    Combine with other absorbent material and place in rubbish bin

    Small amounts of used oil can be wiped up with absorbent paper (like paper towel or brown baking paper), or combined with absorbent material like cat litter or sawdust, and placed in the rubbish bin.
  • General waste

    Freeze oil and place in rubbish bin

    Chill or freeze the oil until it is solid enough to scoop out and throw in the bin.
  • General waste

    Place in a container and place in rubbish bin

    Let the used oil cool, place it in an non-breakable disposable container and throw it in the bin.