Cooking oil should never be poured down sinks, drains, or toilets as it can clog pipes and cause sewer overflows and backups into basements, yards, and storm drains. Here are some proper ways to dispose of cooking oil:

1. Pour it into a non-recyclable container: Once cooled, pour cooking oils and grease into a non-recyclable container. Add kitty litter or coffee grounds, seal the container, and place it in the trash.

2. Freeze it: If you arent sure whether or not you want to repurpose your cooking oil, you can always freeze it and decide later. Freezing oil takes about a day, making it solid and easier to remove. Cooking oil stored in an airtight container remains fresh for almost two years in the freezer or fridge and one year in the pantry.

3. Try alternative cooking methods: Avoid the complications of properly disposing of oil and use an alternative cooking method. Kitchen tools, like air fryers, take the hassle (and grease) out of frying foods like okra and still provide crispy results.

4. Reuse it: The best way to dispose of used cooking oil is to reuse it. If you use the oil for foods like vegetables or potatoes, the oil can be used again several times. Beware of cooking meat or fish repeatedly in oil, though. While it can be used for the same product two or three times, its best to make sure the oil is safe to cook with.

5. Store it: Store used cooking oil in the freezer to minimize odors.

6. Recycle it: Check with your local recycling center and ask if they accept used cooking oil. If so, use an empty gallon milk jug to collect the oil and, once full, recycle it. Some cities have drop-off locations for used cooking oil and grease.

7. Repurpose it: Cooking oil can be repurposed into new things. One solution is to use cooking oil as a substitute for weed-killer. Cooking oil becomes a natural, non-toxic insecticide, helping to keep bugs away when combined with water to spray on infested plants.

8. Solidify it and throw it away: There are products like FryAway that will solidify your oil into a block that can be tossed straight into the trash can. Simply sprinkle it over the cooled used oil, let it solidify, then throw away.

In summary, there are several proper ways to dispose of cooking oil, including pouring it into a non-recyclable container, freezing it, trying alternative cooking methods, reusing it, storing it, recycling it, repurposing it, and solidifying it and throwing it away.