Used cooking oil is an unavoidable by-product for a wide range of different industries and sectors, such as restaurants, cafes, hotels, catering companies, food manufacturers and other commercial kitchen and catering settings.
While disposing of used cooking oil might seem like a routine task, if it’s not handled correctly or safely, then it can lead to serious consequences, like plumbing problems, environmental damage, legal penalties, workplace hazards and unnecessary financial losses. Many businesses, however, will still make mistakes that can increase operating costs and put their reputation at risk as well.
That’s why it’s important to know and mitigate all of the mistakes associated with used cooking oil disposal, and that’s what we’re going to be discussing in today’s article. Here are eight mistakes businesses make when disposing of used cooking oil that you should avoid:
1. Pouring used cooking oil down the drain
One of the most common, and usually the most damaging and costly, mistakes that a business can make when it comes to used cooking oil disposal is to pour it down the drain. Whether it’s down the sink or directly into an outdoor drain, used cooking oil should never be disposed of in this way.
While it might be a liquid while in use, it will solidify when it comes into contact with a colder surface, therefore causing it to cling stubbornly to the inside of any pipework. Over time, this can cause serious blockages. Eventually, it will restrict water flow and, subsequently, complete blockages can occur. In London, a fatberg was found in 2017 that weighed 130 tonnes and was a monstrous 250 metres long.
It was a mass that was made up of used cooking oils, fats, wipes, tissue and human waste. Although the Whitechapel Fatberg was a giant mound of oil and other waste products, it’s important to realise that even the smallest amount of disposed cooking oil can cause issues, and there are usually very expensive and environmental consequences of this, including:
- Plumbing repairs
- Sewer backups
- Flooding
- Foul odours
- Business disruption
- Potential fines from local authorities and councils
2. Mixing used cooking oil in with general waste
Some businesses will dispose of used cooking oil by soaking it into cardboard, paper towels and food waste. They’ll then add that to their general waste. While this might sound like a far better option than pouring waste cooking oil down the drain, it can pose several issues.
The problems associated with adding waste cooking oil to general waste are extensive. They include increased landfill waste, leakage from refuse bags, attraction of pests and rodents, fire hazards and higher waste disposal costs.
In addition to this, valuable recycling material is lost when it comes into contact with used cooking oil, therefore increasing your carbon footprint. Businesses have an environmental responsibility to dispose of used cooking oil properly, but landfilling it goes against this.
3. Not using the right storage containers
If you don’t use the right storage containers for your waste cooking oil, then it can cause several problems. Poor used cooking oil storage results in issues like oil spills, slip hazards, contamination, strong unpleasant smells and increased cleaning requirements. Not only can this be a problem in terms of financial implications, but it can also do harm to your reputation as a commercial business.
How? Because if customers can smell foul odours or see a pest infestation, then not only will you lose their custom, but they can report you to the authorities, therefore putting your entire business at risk of closure. Therefore, correct storage containers for used cooking oil are far more important than you might have otherwise thought.
Here at ater Oils, we can supply all commercial businesses with safe, secure, durable used cooking oil containers that will effortlessly and safely store waste cooking oil. This gives you peace of mind that your waste cooking oil will never leak out when you least expect it, provided that the containers aren’t overfilled and stored somewhere dry, cool and on a flat surface.
4. Waiting too long before a collection
Some businesses will attempt to reduce collection costs by storing used cooking oil until the containers are full. While this might seem like a good idea, it can cause other problems. This is because overfilled waste cooking oil containers can spill, overflow, attract pests, make the collection of it difficult and increase health and safety risks for yourself, your employees and your customers. As such, you need to make sure that you’re scheduling regular collections to keep storage areas clean, safe and manageable.
5. A lack of employee training on the matter
Even businesses with proper waste disposal systems will encounter issues if their employees are not up to date with their waste disposal and management training. Without clear or modern procedures, staff may unknowingly dispose of waste cooking oil in an incorrect manner, therefore leading to avoidable and unnecessary safety hazards. Therefore, employees should understand:
- How to safely transfer hot oil
- Where waste cooking oil should be stored
- Emergency spill procedures
- Collection schedules
- Why proper used oil disposal matters
6. Ignoring environmental responsibilities
Used cooking oil shouldn’t be viewed as ordinary waste. This is because its improper disposal can cause damage to ecosystems and the environment. It can pollute waterways, pose risks to wildlife and marine life and put strain on wastewater treatment systems.
Businesses that neglect the correct waste cooking oil disposal methods may also damage their own environmental reputation, particularly if their customers are choosing them because of their sustainable operations.
By disposing of used cooking oil properly, and in line with regulations, it can support a circular economy by allowing waste oil to be converted into useful products, like biodiesel. This is something we do here at Cater Oils.
7. Choosing the cheapest used cooking oil disposal option
Attempting to save money by selecting the lowest-cost disposal service can sometimes result in poor service quality. Potential issues here can include missed collections, inadequate documentation, unsafe handling practices, poor customer support, compliance concerns and illegal disposal of used cooking oil.
When you choose a used cooking oil disposal provider, you should consider a number of things. This includes their reliability, regulatory compliance, environmental practices and service quality, and not just the price. However, this is where Cater Oils is different. Instead, we will collect your waste cooking oil for free. Alternatively, we’ll give you a credit note against a fresh supply of cooking oil.
We do this to minimise your carbon footprint and our own. This is done by turning your waste oil into biodiesel for use throughout the community. We will also provide you with the correct documentation for your records, including a waste transfer note for good measure. If you’d like further information, contact us today.
8. Forgetting to keep records
Many businesses that work with oil need to have a record of their deliveries and waste oil collections. This is to ensure compliance with environmental standards and health and safety laws. However, there are some businesses that overlook the importance of maintaining accurate and up-to-date records. If you keep accurate records, it demonstrates compliance with waste management requirements, responsible environmental practices, collection frequency and waste disposal history. It also makes inspections and audits much simpler.
Cater Oils offers a free waste cooking oil collection service, making it easy for businesses to dispose of used oil responsibly. Better still, your waste oil could earn you cash or a credit towards future purchases of our premium cooking oils, including olive oil, rapeseed oil, vegetable oil, sunflower oil and pomace oil. To find out more about our waste cooking oil collection service, our range of fresh cooking oils, or how recycled oil is transformed into biodiesel, get in touch with our friendly and experienced team today – we’re always happy to answer your questions and help you find the right solution for your business.
