Cooking Oil and Grease Disposal

INCORRECT DISPOSAL:

  • Never pour grease down sinks, drains or into toilets. 
  • Grease can clog pipes and cause sewer overflows and backups into basements, yards, and storm drains.
  • Grease overflows and back-ups pose potential health risks and environmental problems that can be costly to clean up.

CORRECT SOLUTIONS:

  • Once cooled, pour cooking oils and grease into a non-recyclable container. Add kitty litter or coffee grounds, seal the container and place in the trash.
  • Scrape food scraps from dishes into trash. Minimize the use of your garbage disposal because even cooked food contains oil and grease that can clog sewer lines.
  • Remove oil and grease from dishes, pots, and pans with a paper towel or napkin.
  • Pre-wash dishes, pans, and pots with cold water before putting them in the dishwasher. Hot water does not remove oil or grease but rather liquefy them. Once cool, they return to a solid and can clog sewer lines.
  • Cover kitchen sink with a strainer and empty into trash as needed.
  • Reuse cooking oil as often as possible. Store used cooking oil in the freezer to minimize odors.
  • Broomfield residents can participate in the used cooking oil recycling program operated by the Public Works Fleet Services Division. For more information, call Fleet Services at 303.438.6336.
  • Start a compost pile at your home with food scraps that are not meat.