A waste collection expert known as the No1 Binman on TikTok has clarified the correct way to dispose of used cooking oil at home. According to his guidance, it should be placed in general waste, not poured down the sink, put in the food waste caddy, or placed in the recycling bin.
Used cooking oil can become a particular problem for households after deep-frying sessions, when a substantial amount accumulates. Pouring it down the sink is widely understood to be forbidden, as it solidifies rapidly and creates blockages that require expensive professional intervention.
Official advice on cooking oil disposal
Water UK, the trade association representing the water industry, cautions that fats, oils and grease discharged down the drain are a primary cause of the 300,000 sewer blockages that happen across the UK annually, costing approximately £100 million to resolve.
The No1 Binman, a self-proclaimed 'binfluencer', regularly provides guidance to help the British public work out which items can be discarded and which cannot. He recently addressed the ongoing confusion surrounding proper disposal methods for used cooking oil.
How to dispose of used cooking oil at home
He explained: "Used cooking oil should go in your general waste. Do not put it in the food waste, and definitely not the recycling bin."
This guidance is supported by official advice, which recommends letting the oil cool down, sealing it in a container, and then putting it in the general waste bin. The No1 Binman also emphasised that the oil should not be poured straight into the bin, as this could damage the liner.
He recommended: "If you can, put it in a container or something that can't be recycled and then put it in your general waste. It stops it from going anywhere in case a bag splits. A family-sized amount of oil is OK to put in general waste."
Exceptions and recycling options
A carton or jar with a secure, tight-fitting lid serves as an appropriate receptacle. However, the waste collector highlighted one significant exception. He said: "If you've got loads of it, like commercial, then no, it doesn't go in your general bin. You'd have to either contact your council or get someone else to come and collect it. But if it's just like a normal family-sized amount of cooking oil, then it'll just go in your general waste."
For larger amounts, numerous local councils throughout the UK run household waste recycling centres where cooking oil can be deposited separately. Some regions also provide dedicated cooking oil collection points. Used cooking oil can even be transformed into biodiesel, a renewable fuel source, making it worth investigating what your local authority provides before simply throwing it away.
For those keen to extract extra value from surplus cooking oil, experts at Zero Waste Scotland have suggested some recycling options. It can be applied to a garden shed or fence as an alternative waterproofing treatment, as it won't leave marks on the timber and is entirely safe to use around animals and plants.
Alternatively, cooking fat from chicken or bacon can be transformed into a homemade treat for garden birds. Simply pour it into an appropriate container, combine with bird seeds and nuts, leave it to set solid, then place it outdoors for the birds to enjoy.
