Used cooking oil is a common household waste. However, remember, if you dispose of used cooking oil incorrectly, it can pollute the environment and threaten human and animal health.
There are several mistakes that people usually make when throwing away used cooking oil.
Disposing of Used Cooking Oil incorrectly
A mistake that people often make is that throwing used cooking oil into the drain will cause a blockage that will be difficult to repair.
Throwing Cooking Oil on the Ground
The next mistake is throwing used cooking oil directly onto the ground. Cooking oil that is thrown onto the ground will absorb into the soil and clump until it closes the pores in the soil, so that the texture of the soil will feel harder and it will be difficult to absorb water.
Throw away hot cooking oil in the trash
This method should not be used because it can attract insects and rodents such as mice. Apart from that, it also causes problems in landfills.
There are many ways to dispose of used cooking oil in a clean and healthy way. The following is a safe and good way to dispose of used cooking oil so that it doesn't pollute the environment.
Using one of these methods is not only good for the ecosystem, but will also prevent unwanted odours from lingering in your drains or trash cans.
Tips and Ways to Dispose of Used Cooking Oil
1. Reuse used cooking oil
Did you know that cooking oil can be recycled? This can be especially helpful if you frequently fry food. Simply let the oil cool to room temperature, strain it through a cloth filter, and pour it into an airtight container.
It is necessary to sift it several times to make sure all the crumbs are gone. Once clean, the oil can be reused up to two times. Please note that the oil can be reused within a day or two.
2. Discard in a container
To dispose of used oil, let the oil cool completely, then pour it into a non-recyclable container with a lid and throw it in the trash.
Common non-recyclable containers will work well including cardboard milk cartons and similar waxed paper or plastic containers. Styrofoam and other takeout containers are also good options for disposing of grease.
3. Add oil to the compost
If used oil is used for cooking plant foods, consider adding the oil to your plant compost bin. Make sure not to do this with the oil used to cook meat or you don't want to attract unwanted critters like mice.
4. Make non-toxic pesticides
The remaining oil you use can actually get rid of small insects that are biting your plants. Add some oil and water to a spray bottle and spray the leaves with the oil to get rid of the little bugs.
Just like the previous point, it is important to use cooking oil for plant-based foods and not dishes containing meat. If not, your plants will actually be visited by more insects.
5. Freeze the oil
If you prefer to throw away used oil, you need to freeze or cool the oil first to harden it, reports The Spruce Eats.
Pour the oil into an old can and put it in the freezer or refrigerator. Once the oil is solid enough to come out of the can intact, it is ready to be thrown into the trash.
If you don't have more than a cup of oil or fat, pour it into a coffee cup and put it in the refrigerator. When it hardens, lift it and throw it in the trash with a spoon. After that, clean the mug with an old paper towel or napkin before washing it.
Because used cooking oil continues to increase every day, it's a good idea for us to utilize this kitchen waste. One of them is changing waste cooking oil into pesticides.
Used cooking oil apparently produces very high levels of saturated fatty acids. This is because the oil has experienced some reaction due to repeated frying.
And these fatty acids are very good for plant growth.
But you must remember, you can only use used cooking oil for this plant as additional fertilizer.
So, we still have to add basic fertilizer, for example manure or compost, then add other organic fertilizer.
How to make pesticides from cooking oil and dishwashing soap
Materials needed
Making white oil pesticide is very easy and more economical. It's a simple combination of vegetable or vegetable cooking oil and dishwashing soap.
Although some recipes use certain types of oil such as sunflower seed oil, you can use any vegetable oil (non-mineral oil). Many also use canola oil.
How to make
To make a white oil concentrate, mix dish washing soap and vegetable cooking oil with a solution ratio of 1 to 2. Adjust the amount according to your needs.
To mix ingredients, choose a jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Be sure to provide a label that identifies it as a pesticide.
Place the ingredients in a container, tighten the lid and shake vigorously. The oil and dish soap will mix into a white, smooth mixture.
Things to note
Remember, white oil is a very concentrated soap spray mixture, so 3 cups will last a very long time.
To use this concentrate, you must dilute the mixture and mix one tablespoon of white oil with 2 litres of water.
Apply this mixture as a spray using a small hand pump spray bottle or garden sprayer.
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