Top Used Cooking Oil Collection in Clovis, California Ranked

For restaurants and food service businesses in Clovis, managing used cooking oil (UCO) is a critical operational and environmental responsibility. Proper grease trap maintenance and oil recycling are not just best practices-they are legal requirements designed to protect the city's sewer infrastructure and waterways. By partnering with a licensed hauler, Clovis establishments can transform a waste product into valuable biofuel, often generating rebates that offset disposal costs. This guide outlines the essential regulations, best practices, and economic opportunities for UCO management in Clovis.

Ameriguard Maintenance Services LLC

4681 E Vine Ave, Fresno, CA 93725

Ameriguard Maintenance Services LLC is a family-run company based in Fresno, CA, specializing in used cooking oil collection, grease trap cleaning, and commercial septic services. Founded in 2003, the company serves a wide range of clients including restaurants, supermarkets, schools, government facilities, and casinos across 39 counties in California. Ameriguard focuses on preventative maintenance to help minimize emergency shutdowns and offers scheduled services for grease trap and drain line systems. Their operations include handling liquid waste management with updated equipment and environmentally conscious practices.

4.9

11 Reviews

Golden Valley Pumping Co.

17771 W Gettysburg Ave, Kerman, CA 93630

Golden Valley Pumping Co. provides used cooking oil collection and grease trap maintenance services in Fresno, CA. They serve a variety of clients including restaurants, hotels, schools, casinos, and corporate campuses. Their services include hydro-jetting to remove hardened grease and waste oil, helping to prevent environmental contamination and costly blockages. The company offers 24/7 availability for emergency and routine service needs. Golden Valley Pumping also focuses on recycling collected waste oil into bio-diesel, supporting environmental sustainability in the Central Valley and surrounding areas.

5.0

8 Reviews

All Valley Environmental

523 N Brawley Ave Suite B, Fresno, CA 93706

All Valley Environmental is a grease trap cleaning and used cooking oil collection company based in Fresno, CA. Serving California for over 25 years, they specialize in grease trap cleaning to prevent blockages and odors in kitchen plumbing. They also provide eco-friendly used cooking oil collection and recycling services, promoting sustainability and reducing carbon footprints. Licensed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the company offers scheduled pickups and custom solutions to fit various business needs. Their service areas include the Central Valley, Bay Area, and Central Coast regions.

4.0

4 Reviews

Baker Commodities Inc

16801 W Jensen Ave, Kerman, CA 93630

Baker Commodities Inc offers grease management and rendering services in Fresno, CA, and the Southwest region. Their services include animal by-product recycling, restaurant grease recycling, grease trap cleaning, and hydrojet commercial plumbing and drain cleaning. The company emphasizes environmentally sustainable waste management practices and provides 24/7 emergency service availability to support businesses whenever needed.

3.5

13 Reviews

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Understanding Local Regulations for Grease and Oil

In Clovis, as in all of California, used cooking oil is regulated as a hazardous waste. This classification comes with specific legal obligations for any business that generates it. The primary goal of these rules is to prevent Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) from entering the sanitary sewer system, where they can cool, solidify, and cause major blockages leading to costly backups and environmental spills^{1 2}.

Key regulatory requirements include:

• Mandatory Grease Traps/Interceptors: Every food service establishment must have properly sized and maintained grease traps or interceptors. These devices capture grease before wastewater enters the sewer, and they must be cleaned regularly to remain effective^{1 3}.
• Licensed Haulers Only: It is illegal to dispose of used cooking oil down drains, in dumpsters, or on the ground. Collection and transportation must be handled by a state-licensed used oil hauler or an approved recycling facility^{4 5 6}.
• Record-Keeping: Businesses are required to maintain documentation, such as manifests or invoices from their hauler, proving proper disposal. These records must be kept for a minimum of two years to demonstrate compliance during inspections⁷.

Failure to comply with these regulations can result in significant fines from local sanitation districts and state environmental agencies².

Best Practices for On-Site Oil Storage and Handling

Proper handling from the fryer to the pickup point is crucial for safety, compliance, and maximizing the value of your used oil. Contaminated or poorly stored oil is less valuable for recycling and can create operational hazards.

Storage Container Standards: Oil should be stored in dedicated, non-reactive containers. Industry standards recommend using sturdy, leak-proof containers like stainless steel drums or specifically designed collection bins. These must have tight-fitting lids to prevent rainwater, debris, or pests from contaminating the oil^{8 9 10}.

Ideal Storage Location: Containers should be placed in a cool, dark, and covered area, such as a dedicated storage pad or enclosure. This protects the oil from heat and sunlight, which can accelerate spoilage, and helps prevent accidental spills from reaching storm drains^{11 4}.

Maintaining Oil Quality: The cleaner the oil, the higher its value for biofuel production. To preserve quality:

• Filter First: Strain oil after each use or at the end of the day to remove food particulates.
• Cool Before Transfer: Allow oil to cool sufficiently before pouring it into storage containers to avoid burns and container damage.
• Prevent Contamination: Never mix used cooking oil with water, soap, or other liquids. Keep container lids securely closed when not in use^{1 11 10}.

The Collection and Recycling Process

Once your oil is properly stored, the collection process is straightforward. Establishing a regular pickup schedule with your licensed hauler ensures you never have overfull containers, which are a spill risk.

1. Scheduled Pickup: Your service provider will schedule regular collections based on your volume. They will pump the oil from your storage container into their specialized tanker truck.
2. Transportation: The hauler transports the collected UCO to a certified recycling facility. Throughout this chain, documentation is maintained to track the oil's journey from your business to its final recycling destination, ensuring regulatory compliance^{4 10}.
3. Transformation into Biofuel: At the recycling facility, the oil undergoes processing to remove impurities. The refined product is then used as a feedstock to produce renewable biofuels, such as biodiesel or renewable diesel. This process gives used cooking oil a second life, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and preventing environmental harm^{8 11 3}.

Economic Incentives: Turning Waste into Revenue

One of the most compelling reasons for proper UCO management in Clovis is the potential for financial return. Unlike many other waste streams that incur a disposal fee, clean used cooking oil is a commodity. Many haulers offer rebate programs, effectively paying you for your oil based on its volume and quality^{8 11}.

Rebate rates can vary, but they generally follow this structure:

• For volumes under 100 gallons per month: Pickup is often provided for free, though a rebate may not apply.
• For volumes between 100-300 gallons per month: Rebates typically range from $0.10 to $0.25 per gallon.
• For high-volume producers exceeding 300 gallons per month: Rates can reach $0.25 to $0.65 or more per gallon, especially for well-maintained, clean oil^{8 11}.

These rebates can directly offset the cost of grease trap cleaning or other waste services, turning a regulatory obligation into a modest revenue stream. The key to maximizing your rebate is consistent, clean storage practices.

Finding a Licensed Collection Service in Clovis

Choosing a reliable partner is essential for seamless and compliant used oil collection. Start by contacting major commercial waste haulers that service the Central Valley; many offer UCO recycling as part of a suite of services. You can also search for local specialists using terms like "Used Cooking Oil Recycling Clovis CA"⁸.

A critical verification step is to use the CalRecycle Used Oil Recycling Program database to ensure any hauler or collection center you consider is properly certified by the state of California¹². When evaluating providers, ask about their pickup schedules, container provisioning, rebate payment terms, and documentation practices to ensure they meet all regulatory requirements for your business.

Frequently asked questions

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