Is Cooking Oil A Hazardous Waste
- Posted by:
- Admin
- Tags:
- Posted date:
- 23-06-2022
Do you work in the catering industry? Do you need to know: Is cooking oil a hazardous waste?
Unlike most other types of oils, there are no hazardous waste regulations that apply for the disposal of vegetable oils. We do, however, have a duty of care to the environment for the removal of cooking oils.
It is easy to think that the sink is an easy and quick route for the disposal of our used cooking oils. We should be aware that if we pour all these excess greasy oils down the drain, it will cause significant problems for our drainage systems. Once the oils and grease have been poured down your plughole, it will start to solidify in the drainage system of your property, this in itself can result in costly call-out fees and repairs.
Once all the grease, fats and oils find a way to the underground sewerage system they will start to adhere to all the other items and products that have been flushed.
Items like wet wipes will combine with the grease and start to form large congealed lumps of fatty waste. These large clumps are called Fatbergs.
These fatbergs can be extremely large and cause significant problems for the whole of the local underground sewer framework.
It is always better to dispose of your waste cooking oil correctly. Suppose you own a business and have copious amounts of excess waste oil. You can use a reputable company to dispose of the waste oils for you.
Legal Requirements For Cooking Oil Collection
If you dispose of your waste cooking oil, there are benefits to having it moved from your property. Under the 1990 Food Safety Act, you can be prosecuted or issued with an enforced cessation of trading if any problems arise from the effects of cooking oils, fats and grease used in the catering trade that have been disposed of negligently and have resulted in drainages issues.
You must contact a reputable company that is registered under the Environmental Protection Act of 1990: Duty of Care. The company you use must produce the correct documentation to prove they are licenced to collect and dispose of this type of waste. If the company fail to produce the waste transfer document, it may well lead prosecution or an on the spot fine can be issued. If an investigation is required, the local authority officials have a legal right to recover any costs they have incurred.
Why You Shouldn't Hoard Waste Cooking Oils
Under the Environmental Protection Act of 1990: Section Statutory Nuisance, you have a duty of care and the responsibility not to be the cause of a statutory nuisance. If you accumulate rubbish and refuse that lead to odious smells or your home or your business premises are deemed to be in a state that is prejudicial to public health or classed as a nuisance.
This can lead to an investigation by an environmental officer and possible fines or prosecution. You should not hoard any cooking fats and oils. Not only are they a fire hazard, but they are also a health hazard. The smell that can emanate from old used cooking fats and oils are incredibly offensive.
Why Is Cooking Oil A Hazard?
Waste cooking oil badly damages the underground sewerage systems, if the drainage system gets over clogged by the fatbergs the waste can produce it can lead to blockages in the pipework and the backup of sewerage in our drainage systems.
It is documented that waste oils and fats cause 25% of pollution in our waters, lakes, ponds and seas. Waste oils and fats cover the surfaces of our waterways, lakes and ponds, it will stop the exchange of oxygen between the water and air.
Because the waste oil and fats react with oxygen, it will decrease the levels of oxygen and its availability further to ant living organisms within the water.
It is also extremely dangerous for our wildlife causing damage to any animal and water life creatures like swans, duck, turtles birds and fish to name but a few. We must protect our environment and dispose of waste fats and oils correctly.
If you work in the catering industry, there is a good chance that you require waste oil collection. Infinity Oils offer waste cooking Oil Collection in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth, Dundee and throughout Scotland.