Let’s face it, some things are much better fried. Oil comes in handy when it comes to cooking lots of delicious little dishes, but how do you get rid of it? Cooking oil seems harmless and it can be very tempting to dispose of it in the sink after a heavy frying. Is it really dangerous to pour it down the toilet or down the sink? What damage can this cause? The following blog post will focus on demystifying this and educating you on the best way to dispose of used cooking oil.
OIL AND PIPELINE
Getting rid of cooking oil in your home’s pipes is indeed a bad idea. It is a practice which is to be avoided altogether at the risk of attracting several problems. This could greatly affect their proper functioning. Over time, oil builds up, sticks to the walls of the piping and can lead to a steep repair bill in addition to additional maintenance. It is the same if you have a septic tank. The oil will affect its proper functioning.
Oil is liquid, but when heated, when it cools, many oils solidify. By freezing, it will adhere to the walls of the pipes, which can cause blockages. If, for example, the oil freezes, it could for example obstruct the passage of the liquid and cause blockages.
ENVIRONMENT
It is not just your pipes that it is a problem to throw your used cooking oil in the pipes. Indeed, throwing cooking oils in the drains does no service to the environment. The cooking oil will then end up in the wastewater and this requires additional treatment in municipal wastewater treatment plants. The composting of used oil is also not recommended except at very low doses, for example, if a piece of paper or cardboard is soaked in it.
HOW TO GET RID OF IT
Your cooking oils can be brought to your municipality’s Ecocentre in a closed container. They will then be emptied and sent to a specialized recuperator. They will then be tested, filtered, heated and decanted to make biodiesel. In this way you will avoid blockages in your pipes and your oil will be fully recovered. It can be used as fuel for certain vehicles such as trucks or even public transport for example.
Do not hesitate to call your plumber if you need piping advice or if you suspect that cooking oil residue is hampering the proper functioning of your piping. They will always be happy to provide you with the best advice regarding the optimal use of your plumbing. They can also teach you the right actions to take to avoid any potential problems. You will be able to cook for your loved ones in all serenity while protecting the environment.
