Pouringused cooking oil and vegetable fats (Used Cooking Oil – UCO, or used cooking oil) down the drain is a common occurrence that can have seriously negative effects on the environment and sewage systems. Meanwhile, many people are unaware of the potential consequences of pouring UCO into sewers or other inappropriate ways of disposing of it. UCO, which includes frying oil and butter, salad oil, canned oil and canned oil generated in households, is a byproduct of cooking and frying, and its improper handling poses a threat to surface water, soil, drinking water and sewage infrastructure.
Effects of water pollution from used cooking oil
Used cooking oil poses a threat to the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems. Oily substances in the oil can coat the surface of the water, hindering gas exchange and water oxidation. This in turn affects the processes of photosynthesis and aerobic degradation of organic matter, which are essential for aquatic organisms.
Used cooking oil contains substances harmful to aquatic organisms. Toxic components of UCO, such as saturated fats, food residues and chemicals used during frying, can cause damage to internal organs, reproductive and growth disorders in aquatic organisms. This can lead to a decrease in the population of fish and other aquatic organisms, which has a negative impact on the entire ecological network.
How to minimize pollution?
The best way to minimize water pollution from UCO is to recycle. Used cooking oil can be recycled into biofuels, soaps, cosmetics or fertilizers. Many local recycling centers or companies specializing in UCO processing (such as EMKA S.A.) offer to donate used oil, which will be processed accordingly.
It is also important to raise public awareness about the dangers of improper UCO management. By educating people about the benefits of recycling and the harms of pouring UCO down the drain, we can work together to protect our waters.
Benefits of UCO recycling
Counterintuitively, there are a number of diverse uses for used cooking oil, considered a waste product. Given the high triglyceride content of processed fat, it is very often used as a biocomponent in the production of eco diesel or other eco fuels. However, this is not the only possibility – purified, processed oil can also be used in oil furnaces as a kind of fuel, providing thermal energy. In addition, in the chemical industry, such already purified waste finds additional use in the production of various types of synthetic plastics. Then the purified oil is further processed along with other substances.
What to do with UCO? – Don’t pour, pour!
Used cooking oil is not only an economic problem, but also an environmental one. By taking care to properly handle used cooking oil, we can help protect our environment. Let’s remember that our daily actions affect future generations, so take some time to think about how we can act more responsibly.
1 Collect used oil:
When you’re done cooking, instead of pouring the oil down the sink, put it in a special container. This can be, for example, an old soda bottle that no longer has a use, or a special bottle optimized for oil passing, which you can get by registering in the “Oil Makers” app and retrieving it from the nearest Oil Maker. In this way you will avoid contaminating the sewer system and protect your pipes from clogging.
2. recycle:
Check if there are collection points for used cooking oil in your area, and see if there is an option to donate it to Oil Makers. This collected oil can be used as raw material for biofuels or cosmetics, helping to minimize environmental impact.
3. prevent spillage:
Remember that pouring oil down the sink or toilet leads to serious problems in the sewage system. It can lead to clogged pipes, as well as pollute groundwater and rivers. That’s why it’s so important to always carefully collect used oil and return it to appropriate collection points such as Oilmats.
4. pass the oil and get more benefits for yourself and the environment!
Donate your oil to Oil Makers and get a reward for yourself and the environment!
For the oil you donate, you receive points that can be exchanged for a reward. One of the prizes can be, for example, a tree seedling which will allow you to not only support the environment, but also have a direct impact on its protection and can beautify your yard or municipality.
Oily machines – the fifth dimension of recycling
EMKA Oil is part of EMKA, a company with nearly three decades of experience in the logistics, collection and treatment of medical waste market, a leader in innovative environmental solutions. The company is meeting the changing needs of society by blazing new trails and engaging in the application of modern technologies. EMKA’s goal is to revolutionize the way people perceive UCO to create a positive and sustainable impact on the environment, through its innovative system of Nationwide Collection of Used Cooking Oil. The innovative solution of OLEJOMATS will gradually go to local governments across the country.
