How to Dispose of Fats and Oils

With over 200,000 blockages of drainage systems across the UK every year, the safe and correct disposal of oils and fats is becoming increasingly important for not just households across the UK, but also for food production businesses too.

How to dispose of fats and oils in a safe way is a common question for households and businesses across the UK. Businesses now have a legal responsibility to safely dispose of oils and fats safely to avoid sewer blockages and minimise the impact on the environment.

Here are some top tips on disposing of oils and fats

• Collect oils, grease and fat in containers
• Avoid pouring oils down a sink
• Wipe pans and cooking tins with paper to remove excess fats and oils before washing
• Train and teach staff of the importance of correct disposal of oil waste
• Use a disposal method approved by an authorised waste contractor

For larger amounts of oils and fats, using an authorised waste contractor to safely remove, dispose and recycle this waste is by far the best option and most environmentally friendly way. The use of a waste transfer station to enable the smooth transition of oils and fats waste to a recycling plant is a good long-term solution for businesses who don’t have the facility to store or dispose of fats and oil waste.

Regulation

Since 30 October 2007, liquid wastes are banned from landfill and other waste must be treated before it can be landfilled. Waste oils should be collected separately from other waste for collection by a licensed contractor, it should not be sent to landfill.

As the cost of sending waste to landfill increases (to limit the environmental impact), there may be significant cost savings to be made by ensuring the correct collection, treatment and disposal of your waste oils and fats.

Reviewing your waste management solutions is a great way of identifying cost saving opportunities, ensuring adhering to increasing environmental guidelines and regulations and ensuring your business avoids penalties or possible trading restrictions as a result of breach of regulation.

Benefits of recycling oils and fat waste for business

• Cost savings
• Avoid hefty fines for breaching regulations
• Helping the environment
• Contributing to cutting waste emissions Co2

Business waste can pose a risk to the environment and people in the local community if it is not disposed of in the correct manner. Businesses have a legal responsibility and duty of care to ensure that their waste, in this case oils and fat food waste is stored, collected and recycled in the appropriate manner.

• Storage
• Description and analysis
• Collection and disposal
• Food waste transfer notes, kept on record for review

Before making a choice on your partnership with a waste removal company, check their accreditations with an appropriate agency (Environment Agency, SEPA or Environment and Heritage Service) that the company is registered as a waste carrier. If you’re looking for better support and guidance on how to dispose safely of your businesses oil and fat waste, then get in touch.