The practices of recycling and sustainability are a must in the present era. Improper disposal of grease and oils can cause grave damage to the environment.
Fortunately, the activity of grease recycling in VA is not a taxing task.
You can recycle large amounts of used cooking oil at the Virginia Beach City Landfill and Resource Recovery Center. It’s a solid waste facility established by the municipality and regulated by The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Environment
Protection Agency.
Why?
Well, let’s look at some important reasons and adequate tips to help you dispose of grease and used oils. Read on!
Why must you recycle grease?
Recycling used cooking oil and grease, instead of discarding it, might contribute a lot to biodiesel production. This biodiesel serves a myriad of benefits, including:
Decreased Emissions
Petroleum, diesel, and other fuels contribute to the production of greenhouse gases that drastically affect the environment.
On the contrary, biodiesel burns cleanly with less emission of harmful gases.
Increased Sustainability
As fuels like petrol and diesel are made from fossil fuels, there are greater chances that they will deplete in the coming years.
On the other hand, biodiesel is entirely renewable, sustainable, and available for many more years.
Economic boost
In 2009, the U.S. biodiesel industry offered about 52,000 jobs and added nearly $4.287 billion to the GDP. By 2022, this number of jobs will increase to 190,000. This has given a tremendous financial boost to the country and its people.
Basic & valuable tips for recycling grease in the state of Virginia
Grease recycling in VA can be helpful only if done correctly. Below are some valuable tips that might be beneficial for successful grease recycling.
Avoid Spills
Before transferring the used oil or grease, use an appropriate base layer or drip pan to catch spills or drops. Additionally, store the used product in a leakproof container in an area that doesn’t favour temperature fluctuations.
Avoid Mixing of Products
If used oil is mixed with any other oil, such as brake fluid, it won’t be recycled and would require proper disposal like any other hazardous material. So, you should avoid keeping specific products and other products in the same container.
When transferring used oil into a container, be careful and ensure that the container is clean and doesn’t contain any residual material.
Proper Storage
Appropriately store the used oil in a sealed container for smooth recycling. Then label the storage containers appropriately to avoid mixing with different products and ensure proper recycling.
Recycle oil filters
Oil filters will be soaked in oil, so it is essential to drain them into a safe container. Post the filtering process; the filters might contain about 10oz of residual oil. So, recycling them and keeping this waste away from landfills is crucial.
Whether global warming is an artificial phenomenon or a natural occurrence, it’s a grave issue that requires attention. One act that will significantly help is grease recycling. It’s a must if you want to practice sustainability and help protect the environment.
Refining and recycling the grease can also help develop new unique products, like bio-diesel. It’s not only a great alternative to traditional fossil fuels but also ensures a positive impact on the U.S. economy.
So, next time before you dump used oils and grease down the drain, think about the environment and the economy. More importantly, think about how one act of recycling can go a long way!