Top Used Cooking Oil Collection in Portland, Oregon Ranked

For restaurants and food service establishments in Portland, managing used cooking oil (UCO) is a critical operational and environmental responsibility. Properly handling this waste stream not only keeps your kitchen compliant with city regulations but also transforms a potential disposal headache into a valuable resource for renewable energy. Specialized collection services in the Rose City provide scheduled, often free, pickup of your used fryer oil, supplying containers and ensuring the oil is recycled into biodiesel and other useful products. By partnering with a reputable collector, you can streamline waste management, support Portland's sustainability goals, and potentially turn your used oil into a source of revenue.

Scout Septic, Grease & Drain

15535 SE 287th Ave, Boring, OR 97009

Scout Septic, Grease & Drain provides septic tank pumping, installation, repair, grease trap cleaning, and drain services in Portland, OR. They serve both residential and commercial clients, offering pipe and drain cleaning including hydro jetting, as well as excavation and grading services. The company uses modern equipment and techniques to maintain and repair wastewater systems efficiently. Scout Septic, Grease & Drain is fully licensed and insured, offers 24/7 availability, and has a satisfaction guarantee.

4.9

230 Reviews

Northwest Biofuel

2223 N Randolph Ave, Portland, OR 97227

Northwest Biofuel is a locally owned company based in Portland, OR, specializing in grease trap cleaning and used cooking oil collection. They serve restaurants and commercial properties throughout Oregon and Washington, offering bundled services that include grease trap cleaning, cooking oil collection, drain cleaning, line jetting, and grease trap repair. The company ensures that 100% of the oil and grease collected is recycled locally into feedstock and clean-burning biodiesel. Northwest Biofuel provides 24/7 emergency service and works with clients to schedule service at convenient times.

5.0

55 Reviews

Oregon Oils, Inc

2515 NW 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97210

Oregon Oils, Inc is a family-owned company based in Portland, OR, providing used cooking oil collection and grease trap cleaning services. Serving businesses across Oregon and Southwest Washington, they offer customizable solutions including grease trap maintenance and used oil recycling. Their Fryer to Fuel program converts collected cooking oil into biodiesel, supporting sustainable practices. With over 30 years of experience since 1992, Oregon Oils emphasizes environmental responsibility and offers emergency service within one business day.

4.3

35 Reviews

VeggieScout Oil LLC - Portland

portland

VeggieScout Oil LLC - Portland offers used cooking oil collection, grease trap cleaning, and septic and drain services in Portland, OR. The company provides grease trap pumping, cleaning, and maintenance along with septic tank pumping, installation, repair, and pipe and drain cleaning using advanced equipment. They also handle excavation and grading projects. VeggieScout Oil LLC emphasizes careful maintenance to prevent backups and clogs and offers 24/7 availability for emergency services.

3.0

3 Reviews

Baker Commodities Inc

9901 N Hurst Ave, Portland, OR 97203

Baker Commodities Inc is based in Portland, OR, and specializes in used cooking oil collection and recycling services. The company supports the food production and restaurant industries by converting food by-products and used cooking oil into valuable products such as feeding fats, tallow, protein meal, and yellow grease. They also provide rendering, restaurant grease collection, jetting, and fat and bone collection services. With over 75 years of experience, Baker Commodities focuses on sustainability and environmental responsibility through their recycling efforts.

3.1

7 Reviews

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Portland's Regulations on Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG)

The City of Portland has specific rules for managing fats, oils, and grease to protect the public sewer system. Food service establishments are required to use properly sized and maintained grease interceptors (or grease traps) to prevent these materials from entering drains^{1 2}. Discharging high levels of FOG can lead to sewer blockages, backups, and environmental damage, potentially resulting in significant fines for your business. It is imperative to never pour used cooking oil or grease down sinks, drains, or toilets^{2 3}. The city outlines best management practices that include scraping food scraps into trash or compost bins, using drain screens, and wiping excess oil from pots and pans with paper towels before washing¹.

Best Practices for On-Site Oil Management

Effective used fryer oil management starts in your kitchen. Proper handling ensures safety, maintains oil quality for recycling, and simplifies the collection process.

• Storage Containers: Always store cooled UCO in dedicated, non-reactive containers made of materials like stainless steel or heavy-duty plastic with tight-sealing lids⁴. This prevents leaks, odors, and contamination.
• Designated Storage Area: Keep collection containers in a cool, dark, and secure location, away from food prep areas and high traffic. Many collection companies provide free, appropriately sized containers (both indoor and outdoor) specifically designed for this purpose^{5 6}.
• Keep It Clean: The cleaner your used oil, the more valuable it is for recycling. Strain oil after use to remove large food particles and avoid mixing it with water or other liquids⁴.

How Professional UCO Collection Works

Engaging a professional used cooking oil collection service creates a seamless, hands-off system for your restaurant.

• Container Provision: The service provider will typically supply one or more collection tanks or barrels at no cost, sized to match your weekly oil usage^{7 8}.
• Scheduled Pickups: Based on your volume, a regular pickup schedule (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly) is established. Reliable companies offer consistent, on-time service to prevent overflow^{7 8}.
• The Pickup Process: On the scheduled day, a trained technician will safely collect the full containers, replace them with clean ones if needed, and leave a service receipt. Many providers also offer 24-hour emergency pickup services for unexpected situations⁸.

The Journey from Waste to Resource: Recycling Used Cooking Oil

Once collected from your Portland restaurant, your used cooking oil begins a transformation into renewable fuel and other products.

1. Transportation & Initial Processing: The oil is transported to a recycling facility where it is first filtered to remove any remaining food solids and debris^{9 10}.
2. Purification: The oil is then heated to evaporate any water content, resulting in a purified waste vegetable oil feedstock¹⁰.
3. Conversion to Biodiesel: In a process called transesterification, the filtered oil is chemically reacted with an alcohol (like methanol) and a catalyst. This process breaks it down into methyl esters (biodiesel) and glycerin^{9 10}.
4. Final Products: The resulting biodiesel is often blended with petroleum diesel and used as a cleaner-burning fuel. The glycerin byproduct is refined for use in soaps, cosmetics, and other industrial applications¹⁰.

Understanding Costs and Potential Revenue

The financial model for used cooking oil collection in Portland can be favorable for restaurants.

• Free Collection Services: Many qualified food service businesses receive free pickup and free container service. Haulers generate their revenue by selling the collected oil to biodiesel processors, making this a cost-effective disposal solution for you^{5 11}.
• Potential for Rebates: If your establishment generates a high volume of clean, uncontaminated used oil, you may be eligible for a rebate or revenue-sharing program. Payments can vary, often ranging from $0.10 to $0.65 per gallon collected, which can help offset other operational costs^{1 11}.
• Fee-Based Scenarios: In some cases, such as for locations with very low oil volume or highly contaminated oil that requires extra processing, a small service fee may apply¹¹.
• Indirect Savings: Proper UCO management helps you avoid costly sewer line cleanings, potential city fines for FOG violations, and can reduce the frequency of solid waste dumpster pickups by diverting heavy liquid waste¹.

Choosing a Collection Service in Portland

When selecting a partner for your used vegetable oil recycling, consider these key factors:

• Reliability & Schedule: Choose a company known for consistent, on-time pickups to prevent mess and safety hazards.
• Container Solutions: Ensure they provide secure, leak-proof containers that fit your kitchen's space and volume needs.
• Sustainability Commitment: Partner with a service that is transparent about their recycling process and committed to converting oil into biodiesel, aligning with Portland's environmental values.
• Service Agreement: Understand the terms, including pickup frequency, emergency contact procedures, and any details regarding potential rebates or fees.

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