A waste collection operative has clarified how households should dispose of used cooking oil, warning that it should not be poured down the sink or placed in the food waste bin.
Used cooking oil can become troublesome if not disposed of properly, particularly when a large amount has accumulated. Pouring it down the sink is widely understood to be unacceptable, as it can solidify rapidly and cause costly blockages requiring professional assistance.
Guidance from the 'binfluencer'
TikTok's No1 Binman, a self-described 'binfluencer', regularly posts advice on proper waste disposal practices for British households. In a recent video, he addressed the uncertainty surrounding used cooking oil disposal.
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."
How to dispose of it safely
The waste specialist stressed that pouring oil straight into the bin risks damaging the bin liner. He advised: "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 carton or jar with a secure, tight-fitting lid makes an ideal vessel for this purpose. However, there is one notable exception.
He explained: "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."
Alternative uses for leftover oil
Specialists at Zero Waste Scotland have suggested several recycling methods for leftover cooking oil. It can be applied to garden sheds or fence panels as an alternative to creosote, with the benefit of not discolouring the wood while remaining harmless to nearby plants and wildlife.
Cooking fat from chicken or bacon can also be turned into a homemade bird feeder by pouring it into a container, mixing in bird seeds and nuts, allowing it to set, and hanging it outside for garden birds.
