How to Recycle Cooking Oil Containers

Not only can you recycle grease, but also the container it comes in. We want to avoid landfills at all costs, so we will discuss how to recycle both oil and the containers it comes in. 

Although Canada could be better at recycling, trying to recycle your clean oil container is typically not a problem. You just need to know how to go about it properly. 

Step 1: Drain the Last Drops of Oil 

Recycling oil containers is more involved than simply throwing them into a blue bin. Even when delivering waste to a drop-off location, there are some things you need to know. If there’s still oil in the container, it will likely end up in a landfill. For plastic oil containers to be recycled, they cannot have any oil left in them. 

The first step to ensuring your container is void of oil is to let it drain. Place the container upside down on a thick layer of paper towels and let it sit. Try to get as much as possible out of it, but if you don’t get it all, that’s fine. There are more steps ahead.

Step 2: Absorb the Rest 

Even if it seems like your container is free of oil, chances are, it’s not. Oil will adhere to the sides just a little and can even catch by the lip of the opening.  

To get rid of the final amount of oil, you’ll need something to absorb it. You’ll need a small amount of flour, sawdust, kitty litter, or something similar. Shake up the container with your choice of absorbent material until you don’t see any more oil.  

Sadly, getting the oil out this way will mean throwing the unused oil and oil-saturated paper towels into the trash. However, this way, your container will not be in the landfill and will instead be recycled.  

Step 3: Recycle the Container 

Now that your container is oil-free, you can take it to your recycling facility. Check if your municipality or recycling program can recycle your oil container.  

If your recycling options are limited, there are more options. Instead of sending your plastic containers to a recycling plant, reuse them in your restaurant! There are lots of ways you can use plastic containers. Some ideas would be: 

• Let employees take them home 

• Storage solutions 

• Laundry basket for used aprons 

If you reuse the plastic waste in your kitchen, ensure it’s cleaned properly. Soak the plastic in a mild bleach solution, and make sure it’s completely drained before using. You may also want to scrub it with regular dish detergent afterward. 

There are so many unique ways to reuse non-recyclable waste. There’s a community of people who use waste to create intricate works of art, often called upcycled art.

Find Sustainable Solutions for your Used Cooking Oil, Too 

It’s the 21st century, and our recycling ability has improved over the years. There is now so much we can recycle. Don’t let your waste go to waste. 

The less waste we have going into our landfills, the better. Used cooking oil is a hazardous substance to allow into a landfill. When it does end up in a landfill, it is dangerous for the environment and wildlife. 

Partner with Darling Ingredients Canada 

Our purpose is to repurpose. For decades, we have been building bridges between industries and making food production sustainable. We’ve made recycling convenient and have created high-value products to help several sectors. 

Darling Canada offers a solution for recycling used cooking oil. When partnering with us, you can access used cooking oil collection and storage solutions that fit your restaurant’s needs. Put your waste to work and help make Canada a more sustainable place to live.