One of the biggest headaches in any kitchen is used cooking oil. After being used to fry food, what do you do with that oil? Should we keep it? Or can it be thrown down the pipe? or can it be reused?
Actually there are a lot of benefits to using used cooking oil in your garden, but there are also some risks that you need to be aware of.
Yes, used cooking oil is a 100% natural and plant-based material. Powdered used cooking oil can be applied as fertilizer right away, or it can first be diluted with water in order to combat any risks of clogging up the pots and seedlings. Actually Adding small amounts of used vegetable oil will feed the worms that help with the composting process.
This blog post will explore the pros and cons of using used cooking oil in your garden and give you some tips on using it safely.
Used cooking oil, usually shortened as UCOs, is a great way to fertilize your plants. It’s full of nutrients that plants need to grow. It can also help to keep weeds at bay. Continue reading, we’ll tell you everything about it.
What Is Used In Cooking Oil?
Used cooking oil is a type of edible oil that has already been used for cooking. It can be used again after it has been properly filtered and treated.
Typically we find UCOs in the food preparation sector, such as restaurants, fast foods, and households for frying, sautéing, and baking. It is also a good source of biodiesel.
This grease can be either animal-based or vegetable-based. know the main types of vegetable culinary oils:
- Canola Oil
- Corn Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Palm Oil
- Palm kernel Oil
- Peanut Oil
- Safflower Oil
- Soybean Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Cottonseed Oil
- Sesame Oil
- Rice bran Oil
Or you can find in the market some culinary oils that can be a combination of these oils or it can be labeled as just “vegetable oil.
In the United States, most used cooking oil is vegetable-based, typically soybean oil. Used cooking oil can be recycled and used as a biofuel. When used as a biofuel, it is commonly mixed with diesel fuel to power engines.
It can also be turned into biodiesel, which is a renewable, environmentally friendly fuel. Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine with little or no modifications.
Statistics say that biodiesel can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 75%, carbon monoxide emissions by 50% and sulfur emissions by 100%.
More Utilities In Using UCO
In addition, the industry uses used cooking oil to produce other products that you may never have thought about. Here are the more commons:
- Soap;
- Cosmetics;
- Biochar;
- Animal feed;
- Shampoo and moisturizer;
- Lubricants,
- Paints;
- Candles;
- Detergents;
- Varnish.
Biochar, for example, is a type of charcoal that can be used as a soil amendment. It has a high carbon content and can improve the fertility of soils, help increase water retention and reduce the amount of fertilizers and pesticides needed.
Biochars are typically made with used vegetable oil, wood, or manure. The process of making biochar is called pyrolysis.
Biochar has a high carbon content and can be very effective in sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.
It can also increase crop yields, and help to mitigate climate change.
Benefits Of Using Used Cooking Oil In Your Garden?
Here are three great ways to reuse this oil in your garden:
- It helps to keep pests away: When used as a pest repellent, it works by clogging the pores of insects, which prevents them from breathing. This method is particularly effective against ants, cockroaches, and earwigs. But don’t go overboard!
- Improve drainage and aeration: When added to the soil, it helps to improve drainage and aeration while also providing nutrients for plants. This vegetable grease oil is especially beneficial for plants that require lots of nitrogen, such as tomatoes and peppers.
- Compost breaking down: You can also add it to your compost pile, which will help break down organic matter and improve the quality of your soil.
Just be sure not to add too much, as this can make the compost pile smell bad. On the other hand, used cooking oil is a great way to recycle and it can benefit your plants, so long as you use it correctly!
Additional Ways To Use UCO In The Garden
Attracting to Birds
Another way to use cooking oil is to mix it with birdseed. If you’re looking for a way to dispose of your cooking oil, you may be surprised to learn that mixing it with birdseed is a great option.
Not only will the birdseed be more likely to stay fresh, but it will also provide a nutritious meal for your feathered friends. The oil will help to keep the seed from drying out, and it will also make it more difficult for mold and bacteria to grow.
Just be sure to mix the oil and seed in a well-ventilated area, as the fumes can be harmful if inhaled. With a little planning, you can turn your cooking oil into a meal that’s good for both you and the birds.
Cleaning and Lubricating Gardening Tools
Can I use vegetable oil instead of WD40 to clean and lubricate garden tools? Yes, you can, it is not as effective as WD40, but it will work in a pinch. Many people find that it works just as well as WD40 and other synthetic lubricants, but without the harmful chemicals.
A little bit of oil on pruning shears or secateurs will help to keep them from rusting and sticking.
As you can see, there are several ways to reuse cooking oil in the garden.
Keep Petroleum Products Off Your Garden Tools
If you wonder about more ways of using cooking oil in the garden, know that it can effectively remove stubborn tree sap and tar from tools and oil-based paint from your hands.
You can also use it to lubricate stuck garden gates or windows. Apply a small amount of cooking oil to the moving parts, and it should help to loosen them.
Just clean off any excess oil afterward, which can attract dirt and dust. As you can see, you can do a lot in many different ways, both inside and outside the kitchen.
Final Thoughts On Using UCO For Plants
As we’ve seen, using used cooking oil on plants can have some positive benefits.
However, it’s important to use it sparingly and only on plants known to be tolerant of it. Overuse can damage plant life and cause environmental pollution. Therefore, when disposing of used cooking oil, always do so responsibly.
Contact your local waste management service to find out how to recycle it properly.
Never pour it down the drain or throw it in the trash. By following these guidelines, not only you can safely and effectively use cooking oil to benefit your plants and around the house but also contribute to:
- Avoid Clogged Kitchen Pipes
- Protect Local Sewer Lines
- Create Renewable Energy
- Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Rely on Domestic Oil Resources
- Follow Local Regulations
- Support the Local Economy
- Create New Jobs
Interesting Facts
Did you know that just one liter of used cooking oil can pollute up to 1 million liters of water? Is that almost half the volume of an olympic-sized swimming pool.
If discarded in the common waste, used cooking oil is sent to sanitary landfills, where it will degrade in the absence of oxygen. This biodegradation process, however, ends up emitting greenhouse gases, such as methane.
For every ton of used cooking oil that is recycled, around 14 tons of greenhouse gases are avoided compared to the same amount sent to landfill.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are ways to be eco-friendly. It is in our hands to contribute to the sustainability of the planet and minimize our carbon footprint.
Being more responsible and taking action today will raise awareness and educate about environmental protection.
