With Thanksgiving rounding the corner, Catawba County reminds us that the holiday's cooking aftermath has a place other than down the drain. Catawba County Utilities & Engineering is encouraging residents to collect their used cooking oil and recycle it into clean-burning biodiesel fuel. Ariel Kanupp, the Catawba County recycling coordinator, warns about the hazards of improper disposal, "Cooking oil should never be poured down the drain as it turns solid in the pipes and can cause major clogs and issues," according to the County’s official news release.
For those not sure how to recycle their oil, the process is straightforward. After giving the used oil time to cool down, you just need to pour it into a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Then, at your convenience, bring it to one of the County's designated recycling centers. The locations accepting oil include Rocky Ford Rd and Bethany Church Rd Convenience Centers in Newton, the Cooksville Convenience Center in Vale, and the Oxford Convenience Center in Catawba. Operating hours do vary, so be sure to check your closest center's schedule.
The eco-friendly program, available only to Catawba County residents, comes with no charge. However, you should note that business waste isn't accepted. The recycled oil contributes to a greener future by becoming biodiesel, which, according to Kanupp, is "the most environmentally sustainable raw material for biodiesel production." She touted the benefits of this initiative, saying, "Recycling it is a much better alternative to disposal, because the fuel it creates is environmentally friendly and can be used in any diesel engine." Convenience centers are readily available across the County to make this effort as easy as possible for residents.
