Frying a turkey? Columbia wants to recycle leftover cooking oil

While some things after the Thanksgiving meal are destined for lunch the next day, others are harder to stomach but can have a second life.

Columbia officials are encouraging cooks to recycle used cooking oil instead of throwing it away or pouring it down sinks. Oil can be converted into fuel for diesel engines, with some biodiesel used in city vehicles, according to a news release.

Cooking oil poured down a sink can cause blockages, backups and overflows that cost Columbia an average of $1.5 million, the release said. Drop off used oil at the public works facility at 2910 Colonial Drive or at fire station 16 at 131 Lake Murray Blvd. The sites accept oil 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays but are closed Thanksgiving.

Oil should be free of water, soap suds and food scraps.

Jane Moon Dail

This story was originally published November 21, 2016 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Frying a turkey? Columbia wants to recycle leftover cooking oil."