First Things First: Oil Disposal Safety Tips

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Before considering oil recycling, prioritizing safety is crucial. Here are two essential steps for proper oil disposal:

1. Cooling Down the Oil: Do not handle hot oil or mix it with any liquid while it is hot.

2. Avoid Pouring Down the Drain: Never pour used vegetable oil or cooking grease down your sink drain, as liquid oil can clog the drain and damage home pipes.

3. Let It Solidify: Allow the oil to cool and solidify by letting it sit overnight or placing it in a securely sealed container. You can expedite the process by putting the pan in the freezer, then scrape the solidified oil into the trash.

 

Filter and Reuse It:

You can filter and reuse cooking oil several times, but ensure you strain it into a clean, dry container to remove food particles. Do not store oil in a wet container, as reheating it under these conditions may lead to injury.

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Recycle (if you can):

We use an example of the Chicagoland site as it is featured in the video. However, threcycling sites are available in almost all the states. If you wish to recycle your used oil in Chicago, consider taking it to the Institute of Environmental Sustainability at Loyola, where you can make a tax-deductible donation.  They accept oil without requiring you to filter out food remnants. Drop-off information for Loyola in Chicago is as follows:

Institute of Environmental Sustainability: 6349 N. Kenmore Ave. Chicago, IL 60660 Monday–Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. **Look for the "Oil Donation" sign in the lobby.

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Drop off Information at Loyola in Chicago:

Institute of Environmental Sustainability: 6349 N. Kenmore Ave. Chicago, IL 60660 Monday–Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Look for the "Oil Donation" sign in the lobby.

If you choose not to reuse or recycle your oil, the alternative is to store hot oil in a container, like a glass jar or a metal can. Once cooled, it's safe to place in the trash.

 

Oil collecting site search engine:

If you are looking for a location to recycle your cooking oil, google "cooking oil recycle near me." Here are examples of the results of recycling sites in Chicago area.  

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Disposal:

Should you decide not to reuse or recycle your oil, you can safely store cooled oil in a container, such as a glass jar or a metal can, and then dispose of it in the trash.

For more information, you can refer to sources including ABC7, Recyclecity.com, and Loyola University, Chicago.