How to Dispose of Grease: 6 Safe Methods and What to Avoid

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Quick answer: how to properly dispose of grease 

• Let grease cool completely in the pan 
• Pour into a sealable container: tin can, glass jar, or old takeout container 
• Seal and place in your regular trash 
• For large volumes of frying oil: take to a local recycling drop-off 

Never pour grease down the drain, toilet, garbage disposal, or storm drain.

Grease disposal is one of those household tasks we’ve all faced but rarely discuss. Despite its mundaneness, knowing how to dispose of grease properly is of paramount importance, both for our homes and the environment.  

Improper grease disposal can lead to clogged pipes, damaging both household plumbing and larger municipal sewage systems. Moreover, it’s an environmental hazard that affects local water supplies and aquatic ecosystems. Grease is the most common cause of sewer blockages in the U.S., responsible for 47% of all reported incidents (EPA / Clemson University Extension, 2024). So, let’s talk grease – understanding its types, recognizing its impacts, and learning the right way to dispose of it.  

Types of Cooking Grease 

Cooking grease covers various fats used in cooking. The type matters because different fats behave differently in your plumbing. 

For specific guidance, see our bacon grease disposal guide and cooking oil disposal guide. 

How to Get Rid of Grease: 6 Effective Methods 

Method 1: Cool, containerize, and trash (standard method) 

This is the correct disposal method for most household cooking grease. 

1. Let the grease cool completely in the pan, at least 15 to 20 minutes. Never pour hot grease directly into a container as it can melt plastic or cause burns. 
2. Pour or scrape the cooled grease into a sealable container: a tin can (coffee can, soup can), glass jar, old takeout container, or zip-lock bag all work well. 
3. Seal the container tightly. If using a can, cover the top with foil and secure with a rubber band. 
4. Place the sealed container in your regular household trash. 

Tip: put the container in the freezer first so the grease solidifies completely before binning, this prevents leaks. 

Method 2: Wipe with paper towel (for small amounts) 

For small residue amounts, the sheen of fat left in a pan after cooking, no container is needed. Wipe the pan with a paper towel while still slightly warm, then throw the paper towel in the trash. Do this before rinsing the pan to prevent any grease entering the drain. 
 

Method 3: Use an absorbent material 

If you have liquid grease and no container handy, mix it with an absorbent material to create a solid before binning. Good options include: 

• Cat litter: mix into the oil, allow to absorb fully, then bag and bin 
• Coffee grounds: mix with cooled grease and dispose in the trash (not compost) 
• Baking soda: sprinkle into the pan while the grease is still warm, stir to form a paste, scoop into the trash 
• Shredded newspaper or paper towels: effective for soaking up residue grease 

Method 4: Reuse or save it 

Many animal fats and cooking oils can be reused if stored properly: 

• Bacon grease, duck fat, and lard can be strained through cheesecloth into a sealed glass jar and refrigerated for up to 3 months, or frozen indefinitely. They add significant flavor to future cooking. 
• Frying oil (vegetable, canola, peanut) can be reused several times. Allow to cool, strain through cheesecloth or a coffee filter to remove food particles, then store in a sealed container in a cool, dark place. 
• Before reusing, always check by smell; rancid oil smells sour or off and should be discarded, not used. 

Method 5: Recycle it 

Used cooking oil, especially from deep frying, can be recycled into biodiesel. This is the most environmentally responsible disposal option for large volumes. 

• Find your nearest drop-off at earth911.com, enter your zip code and search “cooking oil” 
• Many cities have dedicated programs: NYC, Seattle, Virginia Beach, and others accept used cooking oil at transfer stations or specific drop-off points 
• Some restaurants and fast-food chains participate in recycling programs; call ahead to ask 
• Commercial kitchens and food businesses are typically required by local ordinance to use a licensed grease hauler for FOG collection 

Method 6: Professional removal 

For restaurants, cafeterias, and food processing facilities, the volume of grease produced makes professional collection not just practical but legally required in most jurisdictions. Licensed grease haulers collect and process FOG under local ordinance, keeping it out of the sewer system and ensuring compliant disposal or recycling. 

At Shapiro, we handle all aspects of commercial grease removal; collection, transportation, and disposal or recycling with flexible scheduling to minimize disruption to your operations. 

These are the methods people commonly use that cause plumbing damage, sewer problems, or environmental harm: 

What Not to Do: Common Grease Disposal Mistakes 

When it comes to grease disposal, there are many misconceptions and misguided practices that can lead to serious problems. 

1. Pouring Grease Down the Drain 

Pouring grease down the drain might seem like the quickest and easiest solution, but it’s a recipe for disaster. As the grease cools, it solidifies and sticks to the walls of your pipes. Over time, this buildup can lead to severe blockages, causing backups and overflows in your home and even in your local sewage system.  

At the municipal level, grease combines with fats, oils, and greases from other households and non-biodegradable items like wet wipes to form fatbergs; enormous, rock-like masses that block entire sections of the sewer system. Fatbergs are the number one problem reported by sewer workers across the U.S. (LAist, 2024). New York City alone spent $18-19 million per year clearing grease-related blockages and repairing damage (Bsirecycling, 2025) 
 

2. Can you put grease down the garbage disposal? 

No. Garbage disposals shred solid food but cannot process fat or grease. The grease still enters your pipes in liquid form and solidifies downstream, causing the same blockage as pouring it directly down the drain. Running hot water while using the disposal does not help; the grease re-cools further down the pipe where it is harder to remove. 
 

3. Flushing Grease in the Toilet 

Flushing grease down the toilet is just as problematic as pouring it down the drain. The grease can still solidify and cause blockages in your plumbing and sewer systems. Plus, sewage treatment plants are not designed to handle high levels of grease, which can disrupt their operations and lead to untreated sewage being released into the environment. 
 

4. Disposing of grease in the yard, compost, or storm drain  

Grease dumped outside attracts pests, harms plants, and seeps into soil and groundwater. In the compost bin, it coats organic material and blocks the airflow needed for decomposition. Pouring grease into a storm drain is illegal in most U.S. jurisdictions, classified as an illicit discharge under EPA regulations, as storm drains discharge directly into waterways without treatment. 
 

5. Washing Grease Down with Hot Water and Dish Soap 

Some people believe that washing grease down with hot water and dish soap will break it up and prevent problems. While this might seem to work in the short term, the grease can re-solidify further down the pipe, causing blockages later. It’s a temporary solution that can lead to long-term problems. 
 

6. Directly Dumping Large Quantities of Grease into Regular Trash 

Dumping large quantities of grease directly into your regular trash can create a mess and potentially attract pests. It’s also not a sustainable solution, as it contributes to landfill waste. Landfills are already overburdened, and grease can take many years to decompose. 

The Impacts of Improper Grease Disposal 

1. Effects of Grease on Plumbing and Sewage Systems 

Grease is a silent destroyer of plumbing and sewage systems – both individual households and larger municipal systems. In the home, when grease is washed down the sink, it starts to cool and solidify. As it does so, it adheres to the sides of the pipes, gradually building up over time. This buildup can eventually lead to blockages, causing water to back up in sinks, bathtubs, and toilets. In severe cases, it can even lead to sewage backing up into the home, which can cause significant damage and pose a health risk. 

The impact on municipal sewage systems is similar, but on a much larger scale. When grease enters the sewer system, it combines with other fats, oils, and greases (often referred to as FOG) and non-biodegradable solid items, such as wet wipes, to form large, solid masses known as fatbergs. These fatbergs can block entire sections of the sewer system, causing sewage overflows that can lead to road closures and costly repairs.  

The EPA reports that grease from restaurants, homes, and industrial sources is responsible for 47% of all sewer blockages in the U.S. [EPA / Clemson University Extension, 2024]. 

2. Environmental Impact of Improper Grease Disposal 

Improper grease disposal has far-reaching environmental consequences that begin with immediate effects and can lead to long-term damage. 

2.1 Contamination of Local Water Supplies 

When grease is discarded inappropriately, it can enter the local water system, either through direct disposal or because of sewage overflows caused by blocked pipes. This contamination can lead to a decline in water quality, making it unsafe for human consumption and potentially leading to public health issues. 

2.2 Damage to Aquatic Ecosystems 

Grease that reaches waterways forms a film on the water’s surface, blocking oxygen from reaching the water beneath. This creates hypoxic conditions, dangerously low oxygen levels that aquatic life cannot survive. 

2.3 Soil Contamination 

Grease dumped on the ground or in landfills seeps into the soil over time, altering its composition and reducing its suitability for plant growth. This disrupts local ecosystems and can persist in the soil long after the initial disposal. 

2.4 Greenhouse gas emissions 

Grease and organic waste in landfills produces methane. Recycling cooking oil into biodiesel avoids this entirely and is the most environmentally preferable end-of-life option for large volumes (EPA, 2024). 

Where to Dispose of Cooking Grease Near You 

For small household amounts, the regular trash is the right answer. For larger quantities, especially used frying oil; recycling is better. Here is where to take it: 

State and local rules vary significantly. New York City prohibits commercial food businesses from disposing of grease down drains under penalty of fines. Some states require commercial kitchens to recycle cooking oil rather than landfill it. Always check local ordinances if you manage a commercial operation. 

The Bottom Line 

The rule is simple: keep cooking grease out of every drain. Whether it is bacon drippings, frying oil, or butter residue, grease that enters your plumbing will eventually cause a blockage; in your home, your neighbor’s home, or the wider municipal sewer system. 

For households: cool it, containerize it, and trash it. For commercial volumes: recycle it or arrange professional collection. 

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