The City of Ocala Water Resources Department will host a cooking oil recycling event on Monday, November 27, to help residents properly dispose of their cooking oil after the Thanksgiving holiday.
Due to the increased popularity of frying turkeys for Thanksgiving, the City of Ocala encourages residents to plan for how they will dispose of their cooking oil.
By recycling cooking oil, residents can reduce the amount of oil being poured down the drain while limiting the environmental impact of oil being dumped outside.
On November 27, the recycling event will be held at the Ocala Wetland Recharge Park (2105 NW 21st Street in Ocala) from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. During this time, cooking oil will be collected, and it must be brought in a sealed container.
Here are the steps to recycling cooking oils:
- Obtain a plastic container or jug with a lid.
- Allow the cooking oil to cool completely, pour the used oil into the container, and store it in a safe place.
- Bring the full container to the recycling location.
Pouring fats, oils, and grease (F.O.G.) down a drain will coat the inside of pipes and solidify, which will restrict the flow of wastewater and potentially cause backups or overflow.
This event is part of the Water Resources Department’s “Protect Your Pipes” campaign that focuses on educating Ocala’s residents on steps they can take to protect their pipes and dispose of F.O.G. properly in the trash can or through a recycling program.
The city encourages residents to practice the following daily routines to protect their pipes:
- Cool, contain, and can leftover oil and grease. Allow oil and grease to cool completely, and then scrape it into a disposable container such as a tin can, cup, or plastic bag. Throw the container into a trash can.
- Wipe plates, pots, and pans with a paper towel or pan scraper to remove food before placing them in a sink or dishwasher.
- Place a sink strainer in a drain opening to prevent food and other objects from entering the drain. Empty the strainer regularly into a trash can.
For more information, visit the City of Ocala’s “Protect Your Pipes” webpage or call the Water Resources Department at 352-351-6772.