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No, you can’t! That oil is environmental poison, as it can harm or kill wildlife and plants. Plus, it can cause serious damage to drinking water supplies, as well as sewage/septic systems. According to the earth911 website, dumping cooking oil and grease down the drain is the leading cause of stopped-up plumbing.

But before you dispose of your oil, you may want to contact a local restaurant. If the oil is still good, it can be added to their existing supplies for future use. This may be a good idea if you’re a “frequent fry-er”! You may also want to consider adding the used oil to a compost heap. But if these ideas don’t appeal to you, just follow these simple steps, and avoid any environmental catastrophes, please.

1.) Make sure that the used oil has safely cooled off.

2.) Check if the oil is actually done for good. Deep-frying oil can be used repeatedly. If it is unusable, you’ll need to find a clean container that seals tightly; an old plastic jar (NOT glass) with a durable lid is a good choice.

3.) Then, strain the used oil into the container. But be careful -- you don’t want to slip and fall!

4.) Do you have only a small amount of left-over oil? If so, you can toss the jar right into the trash.

5.) If there is a lot of oil left, you’ll need to take it to your local landfill. You cannot place liquids in dumpsters, so do not put it in your dumpster.

You can strain and pour it into a tempered glass jar such as what spaghetti sauce comes in and either toss it in the trash or save it in the freezer for future use.

DO NOT put oil in the compost pile as someone suggested as it does not break down properly!

If you know anyone who makes their own soap, they'd take it (I make my own soap!) and probably be happy to get it. Look online for a soaper's group in your area (I belong to an online Ohio soaper's group).

You can also use this oil for fuel for homemade lamps. I will leave a link below. It is "free" fuel for lighting in emergencies.

You might see if anyone has a hybrid car that uses old cooking oil.

Right, don't put it down any of your pipes. I usually have some form of an old carton lying around (like a milk carton or juice carton) and pour the cooled oil in that and throw it out with the garbage. When I haven't had that, I make a nest of newspapers in a garbage bag and pour the oil in the that.

Restaurants have a large tank out back where by law they must recycle. Ask if you can pour it there it is what i do. You might call the city refuge department and ask with to do with it. If you put it in a bottle and seal it good you can just put it in the recycle bin. Just be sure to mark it used frying oil this should be acceptable.

Pour it into a sealed container (e.g. used spaghetti sauce jar, with the top on) and throw it away.

There really is no environmentally perfect way to get rid of it, but at least this way your drain won't clog with grease!

I just throw it in the trash can and have my husband throw it out the next morning!!