Why should you never pour used olive oil down the sink or toilet?
Where to dispose of used olive oil? That's the big question! It's a big mistake to pour used frying oil down the sink. We should wait for the used oil to cool before pouring it into a plastic bottle, like a soda or mineral water bottle. Then we should dispose of the bottle in the used oil recycling container.
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We must become aware of the importance of not polluting our planet and recycling. Whether it's Arbequina or Picual olive oil , pouring oil down the sink or drain, whether out of ignorance or lack of awareness, is outrageous.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Olive oil circulating through the sewer system will nourish the flora and fauna inhabiting the planet's rivers and seas. Quite the opposite! The oil forms a film that blocks oxygen circulation and suffocates the living beings in the contaminated environment, as happened, for example, with the Prestige oil spill.
In figures, one liter of olive or sunflower oil contaminates about 40.000 liters of water, the equivalent of one person's annual consumption! Therefore, we see the extreme importance of knowing where to dispose of used oil.
Furthermore, pouring oil down the sink will cause significant damage to drains, blockages, or even burst pipes due to the formation and accumulation of grease globules. If we put the oil in a bottle or sealed container and throw it away, it will likely be crushed during transport, and the oil will be scattered throughout the landfill.
It will gradually be washed away by rainwater and will eventually seep into the ground, springs, or natural water reservoirs. This will cause a disaster similar to the previous one.
Dispose of used EVOO: Recycling center and oil containers
These are recycling containers similar to those we already have for plastic, glass, or paper. In fact, they are already being installed on a large scale in major cities, ready to be used for disposing of olive oil, among other things.
Olive oil can be recycled, so it's worth making this small effort. It's a matter of habit, and with this habit, we'll prevent further pollution and make the wastewater treatment process easier.
Oil solidifiers?
There are several brands on the market, such as Frito Limpio, and they are very easy to use. When you finish frying with the oil you want to recycle , simply pour a tablespoon (about 10 grams) of the product into it for every quarter liter of used oil.
The mixture should be hot, so if the oil has cooled, warm it up slightly. After half an hour, it will have solidified, and you can store it until you can recycle it like a bar of soap.
You can find Frito Limpio at any Carrefour store or buy it online from their website. The online price is around €1,50, plus shipping.
