Environment & Business Impact
Waste cooking oil can block drainage systems
Pouring used or waste cooking oil (UCO/WCO) down the sink or drains can cause waste to congeal and block public sewers. The backed-up sewage can then spill into rivers and streams.
courtesy of Thames Valley Water
Environmental Impact
Untreated sewage effluent and waste oil in the water causes oxygen levels to drop drastically, sewage fungus covers the bed of the watercourse like a blanket and in more severe cases the river can no longer support fish, insects and animals that live in and around the water.
Potential consequences for business
The impact on your business could involve increased drainage maintenance costs, emergency flooding and water damage call out charges, and even fines from the local water authority.
Rats and Vermin feed from the solidified waste cooking oil which could create a pest control problem or health hazard.
Oil Storage Regulations (OSR)
The Environment Agency have specific responsibility for oil storage at industrial, commercial, institutional and large domestic premises under the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001.
There are measures in place to deal with oil pollution of all kinds, including mineral oils, fuel oils and vegetable oils, and identifies possible further actions.
200L requires secure containment facilities
The Regulations require anyone who stores more than 200 litres of oil in England to provide more secure containment facilities for tanks, drums, Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) and mobile bowsers, to prevent oil escaping into the environment.
