The Alachua County Hazardous Waste Collection Program now accepts residents’ waste vegetable-based liquid cooking oil (WVO) for recycling. Any type of liquid vegetable oil (peanut, corn, canola, olive, etc.) qualifies.
How do I use this WVO Recycling Service?
- Place used liquid cooking oil in a metal or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Be sure to let the oil cool down for a few minutes before filling the container, as filling any container while the oil is still hot could cause it to crack or split.
- Make sure the oil is not mixed with other fluids (water, petroleum products, soaps, etc.).
- Drop off the container at one of the locations listed to the right.
Solid grease or vegetable oil that is mixed with animal fats cannot be accepted for recycling. Mixed oils, fats and greases should be placed in a container such as an empty jar or coffee can. Once the materials have cooled and solidified and the container is full, secure the lid and place it in the trash. Do NOT pour it down your drain or garbage disposal.
Why are Fats, Oils & Greases an issue for me?
When waste fats, oils and greases are poured down drains or in garbage disposals, they can solidify and build up in our sewer systems and cause sewage spills in the environment and sewage backups in our sinks, toilets and possibly into your or a neighbors’ homes. Not only can these backups be very costly, they can also damage the environment by affecting the health of our waterways.
Help protect Alachua County’s environment while reducing potential damage to your home by taking advantage of this FREE service.
Please tell friends and neighbors about the problem of grease in our sewer system and how to keep it out. The solution starts right in your home with your actions.
USEPA Region 4 Environmental Policy and Innovation Grant to Alachua County Builds Local Capacity for WVO Collection and Biodiesel Fuel Production
In December 2011, the Alachua County Environmental Department (ACEPD) Hazardous Waste Collection Program was awarded a USEPA Region 4 Environmental Policy and Innovation Grant PI-95472111 for "Capacity Building for Resilient Biodiesel Production from (WVO)Waste Vegetable OIl."
Grant partners were Gainesville Regional Utilities and Oak Hall School. Grant objectives were directed toward increasing the volume of WVO collected by ACEPD in order to produce more biodiesel fuel. The biodiesel fuel is being used to reduce the County's dependence on fossil fuel based peteroleum diesel for County fleet vehicles and to operate a biofuel electrical generator at the County's Hazardous Waste Collection Facility.
Grant Objectives and Achievements
1. Increase public awareness about the benefits of recycling WVO.
- Waste Vegetable Oil Brocure Produced and Distributed
- Advertising Program in Local Media In-Progress
- Direct contact with local restuarants to increase awareness
- Customer WVO Surveys at Hazardous Waste Collection Center
2. Biodiesel Production Guidance Manual for Educational Insitutions
- Biodiesel Guidance Manual for Schools Completed with Oak Hall School
3. Establish Pilot Scale WVO Collection Program from Local Restaurants
- Collection Agreements for WVO Established with 4 Local Restaurants
4. Establish Convenient Countywide Drop-Off Locations for WVO
- WVO Drop Locations Established at 5 Rural Collection Centers
5. Establish Pilot Scale WVO Collections at Community Events
- WVO Collected from 3 Community Outdoor Events
6. Investigate Biodiesel Production Waste Products
- University of Florida Assistance is On-going
7. Management and Communication of Grant and Achievements.
- WVO and EPA Grant Webpage Produced for ACEPD Webpage
