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Waste Cooking Oil Collections

Welcome

The official website for the free collection of Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO) and animal fats within some parts of the United Kingdom (UK) and council areas. We specialise in waste cooking oil and fat collections and are licensed with the Environment Agency. Producers must sign and receive a Controlled Waste Transfer Collection Invoice. We will help with this process.

Renewable energy innovation is being boosted by £37 million in government funding across the UK. UK Carbon Neutral

Getting rid of leftover vegetable oils and animal fats can be a hassle. That's why we handle everything for you — and we don’t charge. Packaging such as cardboard, aluminium tins and plastic containers is recycled. This helps protect the environment and reduces waste going to landfill sites. It also conserves raw materials and helps protect natural habitats for the future while helping to tackle climate change.

Proper Disposal of Waste Cooking Oil

If your business produces waste cooking oil, you are legally required to store it safely and ensure it is collected by a licensed collector such as Waste Vegetable Oil. We guarantee your oil is taken to authorised facilities for recycling or environmentally responsible disposal.

Never pour waste oil down drains or sewers. Doing so can lead to:

• Blocked pipes and sewer systems
• Unpleasant odours
• Vermin infestations
• Polluted waterways and harm to wildlife

Improper disposal may result in legal prosecution.

Waste cooking oil must not be thrown away with general kitchen or catering waste. This can cause:

• Spillages and foul smells
• Pollution issues
• Refusal by waste contractors to remove contaminated waste

It is also illegal to dispose of commercial cooking oil at household recycling centres or pour it into engine oil banks. These Civic Amenity Sites are not for business use. Mixing cooking oil into engine oil banks renders the entire container unusable for recycling.

Under the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) Regulations, it is an offence to use waste cooking oil or catering scraps as:

• Animal feed
• An ingredient in animal feed
• Part of any animal feed processing

These laws are in place to protect both animal health and the human food chain. Please note: regulations may vary across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Where Waste Vegetable Oil Is Used After Cleanup

1. Transportation (Vehicles & Aircraft)

Converted into biodiesel for use in cars, trucks, and buses

Blended as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for aircraft

We collect from many businesses including casinos, garden centres, pubs, nightclubs, bars, golf clubs, hospitals, schools, and more. Smaller catering businesses such as cafés, takeaways, fish and chip shops, and mobile vendors are also included. We accept collections of 20 to 60 litres depending on your location. You can reuse your existing containers or request one of our small blue barrels. Collections are free and can be arranged weekly or monthly from your doorstep.

The government strongly supports the recovery of waste vegetable, rapeseed cooking oil and animal fats. This aligns with UK strategies to reduce landfill use and dependence on fossil fuels for energy generation.

Guidance from the Food Standards Agency, Cabinet Office, and Environment Agency states that if you produce waste vegetable oil or animal fats, you must store it safely and ensure it is collected by an authorised collector. This waste is often recycled into biodiesel.

Waste oil must not be poured down drains or sewers. Doing so causes blockages, odours, vermin problems, and pollution. It can also lead to prosecution. Waste oils should not be mixed with general catering or kitchen waste as this may cause spills or disposal refusals.

We arrange collections at a time that suits you and provide all the paperwork needed to satisfy Food Hygiene Inspections and Environment Agency requirements.

Last updated - 10/04/2025