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How to dispose of used cooking oil

By Gretel Morales - 2022-01-11T13:13:22Z
At kiwilimón, we know that you are always looking for ways to care for the environment and keep your home and kitchen clean. In the case of the kitchen, the place where the magic happens, it is very important to keep everything very clean and organized, as cooking will be much easier this way. However, besides cleaning everything very well, it is also essential to dispose of ingredients properly, as otherwise, we can contaminate the environment and harm our home. This is the case with cooking oil, which must be disposed of properly, as according to information published by the authorities of Mexico City, throwing this ingredient down the drain is a crime that carries fines and has the following consequences:1 liter of oil contaminates 1,000 liters of waterClogs pipes and drainsCauses floodingProvokes bad odorsYou can also read: Uses of olive oil for cleaning and homeWhy should you not throw oil down the drain?In addition to being classified as a crime by the authorities of CDMX, throwing oil down the drain can end in disaster in your kitchen, as once it solidifies, it could clog the pipe and you would have to call a plumber. As if that weren't enough, throwing burnt oil down the drain not only damages your home’s plumbing, but it accumulates in the city’s drainage system, solidifies, and causes flooding and bad odors. This is why it is crucial to dispose of cooking oil responsibly, and it's very easy!How to dispose of oil correctlyNow that you know you should not throw oil down the drain, here’s how you can dispose of it properly.Use a plastic bottleIf you cooked some delicious fries or crispy churros and now need to dispose of the oil, all you need is a plastic bottle with a screw cap. Once the oil is cool, pour it into the bottle, seal it tightly, and throw it in the trash. You can also read: Learn about the properties of coconut oil inside and outside the kitchenFreeze the oilIf you cooked something greasy, you can also freeze the residue and then put it in a container and seal it tightly before throwing it in the trash.Add flourTo make the oil even easier to throw away, add some flour, as this will help it solidify.Mix it with other wasteIf you are only going to throw one or two tablespoons of cooking oil, you can wait for it to solidify and then throw it in the organic waste bag, so that other waste absorbs it.Don’t forget your pansEven if you don’t cook with large amounts of oil, remember that it is important to clean your pans after cooking, as this will prevent grease from gradually accumulating in the pipes. You can also read: 4 oils you can use in the kitchen and in your hair