Buzz
Pouring oil down the kitchen sink is a major mistake for homeowners. It can lead to hardened grease accumulating on the pipe walls, causing blockages, even if you try to wash it away with hot water and dish soap. In severe cases, this could result in pipe damage and flooding, which is both costly and inconvenient. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution—especially for cat owners. Kitty litter isn’t just for masking odors: You can use it to soak up used cooking oil before throwing it away.
The method is straightforward. According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), if you have a large amount of oil to discard, let it cool down first. Then, slowly add clay-based cat litter into the grease. Allow the litter to absorb the oil, then pour the mixture into a trash bag and seal it. You can now safely dispose of it with your regular food waste.
The landfill is an acceptable destination for oils found in the kitchen, such as pan drippings, bacon grease, salad dressings, and sauces. The TCEQ warns against disposing of these materials down toilets, street gutters, or storm drains. (The infamous fatbergs that disrupt city sewage systems are a direct result of people ignoring this advice.) Even non-greasy food items can clog your drains, so make sure not to put anything down the sink unless it’s suitable for a garbage disposal.
If kitty litter isn’t available, there are other safe methods for disposing of cooking oil. Other absorbent materials like sand, sawdust, or flour can also soak up the oil. You can also contact a local business such as a restaurant or recycling center to see if they’ll accept leftover oil. These establishments often send the oil to refineries, where it’s converted into biodiesel. Just be sure to use a funnel to transfer the oil into a container before transporting it. For smaller amounts, you can also put the oil into a sealable container and dispose of it in the trash.
