For many restaurants and commercial kitchens, the easiest way to dispose of used fryer oil is to pour it back into the container it came in and toss it in the dumpster. While this might seem like a simple solution, there can be consequences to this disposal strategy.

Cooking oil doesn’t break down like other waste—it leaks, attracts pests, creates fire hazards and can cause serious environmental contamination.

Instead, businesses should rely on professional grease trap maintenance and oil recycling service providers to ensure they remain compliant and environmentally responsible.

Why Tossing Used Fryer Oil in the Trash Is a Big Problem

While most business owners know not to pour used fryer oil down the drain, many mistakenly assume that throwing it in the trash is an acceptable alternative. There are two primary problems with this approach: containers can leak and it’s a waste of money.

More specifically, putting containers of waste fryer oil in your dumpsters can lead to:

• Leaks and Spills – Open fryer oil containers aren’t designed for long-term storage. If tossed in a dumpster, they can leak, creating hazardous, slippery conditions.
  
  
• Fire Hazards – Cooking oil is highly flammable. If it soaks into other trash materials, especially paper or cardboard, it increases the risk of dumpster fires.
  
  
• Pest and Rodent Issues – Waste oil attracts rodents, insects and even larger animals searching for food.
  
  
• Environmental Contamination – Once a dumpster is emptied, oil residue can seep into the ground or reach stormwater systems, leading to soil and water pollution.
  
  
• Legal and Compliance Risks – The Georgia Environmental Protection Agency (EPD) and the City of Atlanta enforce explicit guidelines about proper fryer oil disposal. Businesses caught improperly disposing of fryer oil could face fines or service violations.

Instead of treating used fryer oil as garbage, businesses should partner with a licensed recycling service that collects the oil and repurposes it into biodiesel or other useful products. A reputable fryer oil recycling company will pay you for your waste oil, helping you defray the cost of other services like grease trap cleaning and maintenance.

How Poor Grease Trap Maintenance Leads to Sewer Backups

Even with best practices—like scraping plates before washing and using drain covers—small amounts of fats, oils and grease (FOG) inevitably make their way into plumbing systems. Grease traps are designed to catch FOG before it enters the sewer system, but they only work if they have adequate capacity and are properly maintained.

Neglecting grease trap maintenance can cause:

• Clogs and Overflows – A full or poorly maintained grease trap allows excess grease to bypass the system and flow into sewer lines, where it can cause blockages, sewer overflows and costly municipal cleanup efforts.

• Health and Safety Hazards – Overflowing grease traps create unsanitary conditions, leading to strong odors, bacteria growth and potential fines.

• Sewer System Damage – FOG that enters city sewer lines contributes to fatbergs—massive grease blockages requiring costly removal efforts.

• Compliance Fines and Penalties – Atlanta, as well as other cities in Georgia, enforces strict grease trap cleaning schedules. Failing an inspection due to inadequate professional cleaning frequency or excessive FOG buildup can result in fines or even temporary shutdowns.

The Environmental Impact of Improper Oil and Grease Disposal

Both improper waste fryer oil disposal and FOG buildup can cause serious environmental damage:

• Water Contamination – When used fryer oil leaks from dumpsters or grease trap overflows enter storm drains, they make their way into rivers, lakes and drinking water sources. Oil can coat the surface of open water, cutting off oxygen supply and harming aquatic life.
  
  
• Increased Treatment Costs – Municipal water treatment facilities aren’t designed to handle large amounts of oil and grease. Removing excess FOG from wastewater increases operational costs, which are often passed down to businesses and residents through higher utility rates.
  
  
• Damage to Local Wildlife – Wildlife exposed to oil and grease-contaminated water sources can suffer from long-term health effects, including suffocation, poisoning and food source disruption.

While a single business’s improper disposal might not have a catastrophic impact on Atlanta’s environment, the cumulative effects add up over time.

The most immediate concern for businesses should be the legal and financial risks, which can be serious if regulators catch improper disposal or grease trap maintenance during inspections.

Best Practices for Safe and Responsible Used Oil and FOG Disposal

To ensure compliance and prevent costly damage, businesses should implement the following waste oil and grease disposal best practices:

• Schedule regular grease trap cleanings to prevent FOG overflows, sewer backups and fines.
• Use an approved waste fryer oil collection service instead of throwing oil in the trash.
• Store used fryer oil in designated containers that are leak-proof and approved for recycling.
• Train kitchen staff on proper disposal methods to prevent mistakes that could lead to plumbing issues or fines.
• Monitor grease trap function regularly and address slow drainage or odors before they become major problems.

One of our primary goals at Southern Green Industries is making it exceptionally easy to comply with Georgia and Atlanta FOG and fryer oil disposal regulations. We drop off free, custom-sized oil collection containers to our clients. These containers are designed to make disposal as easy as possible for your staff and reduce the risk of spills.

Our team can install an integrated oil management system (iOMS) that extracts used oil directly from your fryer into our containers. These systems eliminate the risk of employee injuries or spills during disposal.

Protect Your Business and the Environment With Responsible FOG and Fryer Oil Disposal Services

If your food service business needs a reliable disposal solution, Southern Green Industries is the company to call. We provide expert grease trap maintenance and pay a competitive price for your fryer oil, allowing you to defray the cost of service and operate responsibly. Contact us at (404) 419-6887 to request a free quote.