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Cooking oil and fat: never down the sink

Why fat, oil and grease block drains, and the simple ways to get rid of them at home.

Last reviewed 21 October 2026 · Applies to UK

Quick answer. Let fat and oil cool, then put small amounts in a sealed container in your food waste or general rubbish. Some recycling centres take larger amounts of cooking oil.

Why not the sink?

Fat and oil set hard in pipes and sewers and cause blockages and flooding. Washing-up liquid and hot water only move the problem further down the pipe.

Small amounts

Wipe pans with kitchen paper before washing. Pour cooled oil or fat into a container with a lid. Ask your council whether it can go in food waste or should go in the general rubbish.

Larger amounts

After a deep fryer or a big cook, ask your recycling centre whether it accepts cooking oil. Businesses such as takeaways need a commercial waste oil collection.

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