Tulsa World: Recycler takes in old cooking oil

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Recycler takes in old cooking oil
The Metropolitan Environmental Trust participates.

Kristi Shreve, a city employee who specializes in environmental compliance, pours a jug of used frying oil into a large container Sunday for Tulsa Biofuels, which will recycle it. SHERRY BROWN / Tulsa World

By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer
Published: 11/30/2009 2:29 AM
Last Modified: 11/30/2009 6:32 AM

Extra time in the kitchen wasn't necessary for residents to make the most of their Thanksgiving leftovers Sunday afternoon.

Tulsa Biofuels and the Metropolitan Environmental Trust teamed up for several hours to collect used cooking oil and paying some — those who would accept it — 10 cents per gallon. A steady stream of people came by to get rid of the oil they used to fry their holiday turkeys.

"I'm very glad to have a place to take it," said Alex Lyle, who brought more than two gallons he used last week for his 12-pound turkey.

Tulsa Biofuels will convert the oil to biodiesel, which it sells to local companies. Tulsa Biofuels President Ted Banzhaf said one customer is the Metropolitan Tulsa Transit Authority, which uses the fuel in its buses.

Biodiesel is better for the environment and for automobile engines, he said.

Kristi Shreve, a Tulsa municipal environment compliance specialist, was on hand to promote recycling of cooking oil.

The city spends thousands of dollars cleaning up overflow from clogged sewage pipes, she said.

"Anything fatty or greasy you put down the drain just coats the pipes and can create blockages," she said.

Shreve handed out "fat-trapper" kits, which include a foil-lined bag to hold meat drippings and small amounts of grease. Once full, the bag can be thrown in the trash, saving the city's pipes.

Kasey Frost, a MET spokeswoman, said in a phone interview that not considering the harmful effects of pouring oil down drains ends up costing everybody.

"It costs the city money, which adds to utility costs," she said. "And that's something nobody needs right now."

Banzhaf said he expected to collect about 350 gallons Sunday.

Shreve said all of the MET's locations accept used cooking oil throughout the year. Sunday's event was meant to raise awareness of this and remind people who fried their turkeys to properly dispose of the oil.

"One guy has had probably five gallons of oil in his garage for two years because he didn't know where to go or what to do with it," she said.

Shannon Muchmore 581-8378
shannon.muchmore@tulsaworld.com By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Residents take advantage of cooking oil recycling," which was published on 11/29/2009.

	Report Comment Ckbep, Tulsa (11/29/2009 1:38:17 PM) This is a great service; I hope those who fried their Thanksgiving turkeys will make use of it. And if you're headed that way, grab your old phone books, too; the 34th and Sheridan recycling center also accepts those as part of Project Redirectory. (Please don't discard phone books in those green recycling bins you see at schools, churches, etc. According to the web site for PaperRetriever, the company that owns those bins, they're not set up to recycle phone directories.)
	Report Comment confederateU, (11/29/2009 2:40:34 PM) we don't use cooking oil to begin with. it's a killer.
	Report Comment owl, Tulsa (11/29/2009 4:08:10 PM) Seriously, Calloy - is Willie coming through sometime soon or are you jesting?
	Report Comment owl, Tulsa (11/29/2009 4:09:30 PM) The thing about not putting oil or grease down your drains - that goes for dairy products too ... milk, sour cream, etc, all will coat insides of drain pipes leading to clogs. Only learned this recently.
	Report Comment Few Clothes, America (11/29/2009 4:11:49 PM) owl, I think he's pulling your leg. Nelson does use the cooking out for his vehicle, but there are ample supplies for him here in Austin.
	Report Comment Few Clothes, America (11/29/2009 5:17:27 PM) OIL! Dadgumit.
	Report Comment Msdash00, Rural (11/29/2009 10:40:17 PM) Rural areas need some help initiating programs to promote recycling everything from cooking oils as mentioned in the article to the more readily present waste items such as glass, plastics, paper, and aluminum. Many commuters from rural communities who work near or travel to areas with recycling centers are often compliant recyclers, but there are still citizens who want to recycle without access to facilities or transportation for their recycable waste. Are there grants, groups, or traveling recycling units available?
	Report Comment Msdash00, Rural (11/29/2009 10:48:27 PM) Will TW focus on more recycle centers in the area? Can TW tell us the availability of and the locations of various recycle centers in the metro and rural surrounding areas? How they began and function in the present, whether they pay for or simply take in recyclable materials. Is there money to be made in recycling or is community recycling a non-profit? Are there schools that use recycling as a fundraiser? I would like to learn how i can recycle, help my school or community, and be a better custodian of Green Country.
	Report Comment Elusive, Owasso (11/30/2009 12:13:00 AM) I don't pour oil down my drain but how are you suppose to get rid of dairy products that are liquid?
	Report Comment recyclemichael, Tulsa (11/30/2009 6:30:15 AM) Thanks to the Tulsa World for the coverage... To answer Msdash00...most of the information you request can be found at metrecycle com
	Report Comment r0rschach, (11/30/2009 7:20:09 AM) 10 cents a gallon? man you people are getting ripped off considering they are going to sell it back to us for $2.00 a gallon.

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