how do you dispose of old (used) cooking oil?

[TheHouseatWhoCorner]

I obviously don't want to chuck it down the sink or drain, but the only other idea I had was to put it in an old jamjar. But then I wouldn't be able to recycle the jar.
What do you do?

[mipmop]

If it's a small amount, you could mop it up with kitchen paper.

If it's a significant amount, maybe you could make bird food with it.

[gamerchick]

Get a pan and line it with a couple of carrier bags. Pour in oil, tie both handles up and put in main outside bin.

[EasilyDistracted77]

If your council does food waste collections (for composting), you can mix it in with the food waste?

[PenelopeGarciasCrazyHair]

I put it into an old oil bottle and then take it to the tip for recycling when it's full. For small amounts I will put it down the sink, but first I emulsify it with loads of washing up liquid and then wash it down with hot water.

[PigletJohn]

Pour it into an old tin. If small amounts stuff the tin first with tissues or kitchen roll (there is no need for them to be unused) so it does not run out.

If you have a barbie or bonfires, the oily tissue makes a good firelighter. But do not leave it outdoors as foxes and cats will eat it.

In winter pour it on stale crusts and put out for the birds.

Do not put it down the sink at all.

If you use large quantities, use a funnel to pour it into an empty oil bottle when cold. In the bin is better than down the sink. I don't know of recycling for household quantities, though commercially it can be reused in diesel fuel.

[PtraciDjelibeybi]

My council has a recycling container at the tip for it - it is worth checking your council's website as mine has all sorts of recycling options at the tip you wouldn't expect (and doesn't have some you would!)

[LegoClone]

I have food waste collection and cooking oil is one of the two things they specify NOT to put in.

It is not a good idea to put any oil down the sink, even with lots of washing up liquid and hot water. Obviously the remnants on pans and plates is fine.

Like others have already suggested, I use kitchen paper for small amounts and pour into a plastic bag and tie off then bin for larger amounts.

I use olive oil mainly and I'm not sure how successfully I could make bird food items with it, but I have used animal fats from the grill or roasting pan for fat balls in winter.

I'm hoping that someone will come along with better uses/ways to dispose of cooking oil!

[LegoClone]

I'm such a slow typer! Off to check my council's website to see if my local tip recycles cooking oil...

[PigletJohn]

W

[PigletJohn]

Wh

[EveDallasRetd]

We make bird cake. Hunk of bread in an old metal tin, add scraps from meals through the week pouring oil over whenever we have it. Hunk of bread on the top. Slightly freeze to make it easier to get it out of the tin then put it on the bird table every Sunday. It lasts pretty much all week and we have lots of birds in the garden to admire.

[figgypuddings]

I pour it into a bucket of sharp sand and dip my gardening tools into the mix once the mud has been wiped off.

[PigletJohn]

When I had a multifuel stove I used to put oily roll and other kitchen waste in it. It burns with a lot of heat and also starts the fire.

I am not sure you could do that with a woodburner or open fire as they burn less efficiently and might leave oily soot in the chimney.

[Icelollycraving]

I pour it into a jar or bag & bin it.

[ilovepowerhoop]

I pour it into an old cooking oil bottle and put it in the bin