The kitchen scrap can wreak havoc if it’s not disposed of correctly.
For anyone who regularly prepares meals at home, there’s one particular kitchen leftover that can prove quite troublesome if not handled properly. Used cooking oil presents a disposal dilemma, particularly when you’ve accumulated a substantial amount.
It’s widely understood that pouring it down the drain is strictly forbidden, as it can solidify rapidly and cause costly blockages that require professional attention. You’d be forgiven for assuming the food waste bin is the natural solution. However, according to one refuse collector on social media, this approach is equally mistaken.
The No1 Binman on TikTok, a self-described ‘binfluencer’, regularly posts useful content helping Brits understand proper waste disposal practices. The majority of his clips respond to queries he’s received, and he recently addressed the confusion surrounding used cooking oil disposal.
While the sink is clearly the wrong choice, the expert reveals that the food waste bin is equally unsuitable. 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.”
The specialist clarified that pouring oil straight into the bin could create problems with the 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 makes an ideal vessel for this purpose, and ensure it has a secure lid as well. However, there’s an exception to this guidance that the bin man pointed out.
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.”
For those wanting to squeeze even more value from their used cooking oil, Zero Waste Scotland experts have put forward some straightforward recycling methods.
You can apply it to your garden shed or fence panels as an alternative to creosote, as it won’t stain the timber and poses no risk to nearby plants or wildlife.
Another option involves using cooking fat from chicken or bacon to create a homemade treat for garden birds. Simply pour it into a container, mix in bird seeds and nuts, allow it to solidify, then suspend it outdoors for feathered visitors to enjoy.
