Extra virgin olive oil is a great cooking ingredient, as you probably already know. But do you ever have leftover olive oil after preparing a large meal and wonder what to do with it? Whether your olive oil has expired or you just have leftovers, there’s always a proper way to dispose of it.
Recycling and proper disposal of used olive oil are already necessary to protect our environment. We will go into detail about every option for disposing and recycling of olive oil in this article.
Why Dispose of Olive Oil?
Like all oils, olive oil does not dissolve in water; it stays in suspension, creating an emulsion. When this emulsion is flushed out, the fat particles stick to the pipe walls. Over time, the pipes develop a lot of grease, and greasy pipes are prone to blockages and might result in challenging plumbing issues.
If this action takes place regularly, it will encourage the growth of bacteria and numerous other dangerous infections that can have a negative impact on one’s health.
How To Dispose of Used Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
Olive oil can be disposed of in a variety of ways. Whatever approach you take, the procedure usually includes cooling the oil first so that it solidifies, transferring it to a different container if necessary, or composting it.
1. Pack it before throwing it in the trash
The simplest method of disposing of used olive oil is to place it in an airtight, unbreakable container before disposal to a waste point. After you’re done cooking, let the oil cool before putting it in the containers. Do not make the mistake of using plastic bags for olive oil disposal.
2. Let the olive oil solidify or freeze it
This method may be time-consuming, but it will be worth it if you don’t like the idea of liquid in your trash can. Allow the olive oil to cool when you are done using it. It will naturally begin to solidify. Also, you may freeze it.
Once it has solidified, wipe off any remaining oil with a paper towel and dispose of it in the trash. Freezing the oil will be a great option if you wish to recycle it for future use.
3. Household hazardous waste disposal
This is the most convenient method. There are businesses that specialize in the disposal of domestic hazardous trash that offer a doorstep pick-up service. You can get in touch with such businesses and use their services for disposing of oil.
4. Set up a grease disposal system
This must be your best option if you use olive oil frequently for any purpose. Each restaurant has a grease disposal system in place. You can even install it inside your home. A system kit for a grease disposal system can hold up to 2 lbs of oil without needing to be changed.
5. Use it for compost
You can compost the olive oil by combining it with vegetable and fruit waste, leaves, and other compostable materials. Take a few pieces of the solidified olive oil slab and add them. Be careful; too much olive oil may interfere with natural processes.
What Can Recycled Olive Oil Be Used For?
Olive oil can be recycled or used once again in several different ways. We’ll look at a few ways you can recycle used olive oil.
Freeze for later use:
- You can freeze any olive oil that is left over after cooking if you don’t want it to go to waste. You can keep olive oil in the freezer for up to two years.
Production of Biodiesel from olive oil:
- There are industries that turn waste olive oil into biodiesel, which is both environmentally friendly and long-term effective in the fight against global warming.
Make soap with olive oil:
- These days, producing soap is popular, and many individuals have started doing it at home. You can turn your olive oil into an organic soap. Though use caution if doing it at home.
Use for cleaning:
- Olive oil is not only beneficial cooking oil. It can also be used as a cleaning tool to nourish surfaces and remove grease, dirt, and stains. While you wouldn’t want to use your beautiful artisanal bottles for cleaning, it would be best to use used olive oil for that.
There are numerous additional uses for recycled olive oil, including manufacturing candles, moisturizing lotions, and many others. I recently wrote an article on expired olive oil uses, so make sure to check that out, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can you pour extra virgin olive oil down the drain?
You should not put oil down the sink. It will solidify into chunks, which can block your pipes.
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How long does olive oil last once opened?
Extra virgin olive oil has an 18 to 24-month shelf life after it is bottled. So, it should be acquired between 12 to 18 months of the harvest date and used within six months of opening.
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How can you tell if olive oil is good?
False olive oil may have an unpleasant flavor or taste oily, rancid, or flavorless. Real olive oil should taste and smell green, peppery, earthy, and grassy.
Final Words
Even though pouring olive oil down the toilet or sink might seem like the simplest solution, it’s the one that will cause issues down the road. You should determine if it is truly necessary before discarding it. You might have a decent probability of obtaining a couple of additional uses.
We really hope that you found our article on “How to Dispose of Olive Oil” to be a useful read.
