Top Used Cooking Oil Collection in Collierville, Tennessee Ranked

For restaurants and food service businesses in Collierville, managing used cooking oil (UCO) is a critical operational and environmental responsibility. Proper grease disposal isn't just about cleanliness; it's a legal requirement under Tennessee state law, which prohibits dumping oil into drains or regular trash due to its classification as a pollutant. The Town of Collierville's solid waste department does not collect this material, directing local businesses to licensed recyclers for compliant handling. Partnering with a professional collection service ensures you avoid potential fines, protect local plumbing and waterways, and contribute to a circular economy by turning waste into renewable resources like sustainable aviation fuel.

Ace Grease Service

Transfer Station, 7240 Craft-Goodman Rd, Olive Branch, MS 38654

Ace Grease Service is a family-owned company based in Memphis, TN, specializing in used cooking oil collection and grease trap cleaning. With over 31 years of experience, they serve a variety of clients including restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and food manufacturing plants. The company collects and recycles used cooking oil into products like plastics, soaps, livestock feed, and biodiesel fuel. Ace Grease Service operates a fleet of advanced trucks and equipment, providing service across nine states in the Midwest.

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Understanding Local Regulations for Grease Disposal

Navigating the rules for waste oil and grease is the first step for any Collierville food establishment. Tennessee state law is clear: used cooking oil is not ordinary trash. Disposing of it improperly-whether poured down a drain, into a storm sewer, or tossed in a dumpster-is illegal and can result in significant penalties ^{1 2}. These regulations are part of broader FOG (Fats, Oils, and Grease) management programs designed to prevent sewer blockages and environmental contamination.

Collierville aligns with these state mandates. The local public services department explicitly states that its curbside and commercial solid waste services do not handle used cooking oil, meaning businesses must seek alternative, licensed solutions ³. This local directive reinforces the need for a formal grease collection program. Non-compliance doesn't just risk fines; it can lead to costly plumbing backups, sewer overflows, and damage to municipal infrastructure, which municipalities aggressively work to prevent through enforcement ⁴.

The Professional Collection and Recycling Process

A professional used cooking oil service manages the entire lifecycle of your waste grease, from container to recycling facility. Here's how a typical program works:

• Storage & Containers: The service provider supplies specialized collection containers, often lockable bins ranging from 40 to 300 gallons, for safe indoor or outdoor storage ^{5 4}. These containers are designed to prevent leaks, contamination, and theft. Proper storage also involves allowing oil to cool below 120°F before transferring it to the storage bin to ensure safety ⁴.
• Scheduled Pickups: Based on your volume, a licensed hauler will establish a pickup schedule-weekly, bi-weekly, or on-demand. The collection is typically a hands-off process for your staff; a technician will pump the oil from your container into a dedicated truck ^{6 7}.
• Transportation & Recycling: The collected oil is transported to a processing facility. There, it is cleaned and refined to become a valuable feedstock for the biofuel industry. This recycled grease is commonly transformed into renewable diesel or sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), creating a closed-loop system for your kitchen waste ^{8 9}.
• Compliance Documentation: Reputable providers offer more than just pickup. They help ensure your business stays compliant by offering monitoring services and providing documentation or certificates of recycling, which can be crucial for regulatory audits or demonstrating environmental stewardship ^{6 9}.

Evaluating Costs and Potential Revenue

The financial model for used cooking oil collection can vary, but it often operates on a spectrum from a cost-neutral service to a potential revenue source, depending on your output volume and oil quality.

• Free Pickup Services: For many full-service restaurants with consistent, high-volume oil output, collection is frequently offered as a free service. Companies cover their costs through the value of the recycled commodity and may provide the storage container at no charge ^{10 11}.
• Volume-Based Fees or Rebates: The economics often hinge on volume. Establishments generating smaller amounts of oil might pay a small per-gallon fee for pickup. Conversely, businesses that produce large quantities of high-quality, uncontaminated oil can sometimes earn a rebate, as their oil is more valuable to recyclers ¹¹. Reported rebates and fees can range from $0.10 to $0.65 per gallon, depending on market conditions and volume ^{10 11}.
• The Cost of Non-Compliance: It's essential to view any potential fee in the context of risk. The cost of a professional service is typically far lower than the fines, plumbing repairs, and environmental remediation costs associated with improper disposal.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Service Provider

Selecting the right partner for your grease trap and used oil needs requires careful evaluation. Look for a provider that offers more than just a container.

• Licensing and Insurance: Always verify that the hauler is properly licensed to operate in Tennessee and carries adequate insurance. This protects your business from liability during the collection and transportation process.
• Service Reliability: Consistent, on-schedule pickups are essential to prevent overflow and mess. Inquire about service guarantees and the provider's protocol for handling special or emergency pickup requests ¹².
• Container Maintenance: Understand who is responsible for maintaining or cleaning the storage container. A good provider will manage this to ensure hygienic and efficient operations.
• Local Knowledge and Support: A provider familiar with Collierville and Shelby County regulations can be an invaluable resource. They can help you navigate local ordinances and ensure your setup meets all code requirements from the start ^{6 9}.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability Benefits

Participating in a formal used cooking oil recycling program is a direct action toward sustainability. By diverting this waste stream from landfills and sewers, your business helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing organic matter in landfills. More significantly, the oil is repurposed into advanced biofuels like renewable diesel and SAF, which burn cleaner than fossil fuels and help reduce dependence on petroleum ^{8 7}. This transformation turns a waste product into a key component for the green energy sector, allowing Collierville restaurants to contribute to a broader environmental solution.

Example Service Providers in the Region

Several established companies offer used cooking oil collection services in the greater Memphis area, including Collierville. These providers typically offer comprehensive programs:

• Mahoney Environmental: Provides free containers, scheduled pickups, and compliance support, with services specifically noted for the Memphis region ^{6 8}.
• Liquid Recovery Solutions: Offers flexible scheduling and emphasizes compliance documentation and support for businesses in Tennessee ^{9 13}.
• Eazy Grease: Promotes free collection services for qualifying restaurants, along with guaranteed pickups and assistance with regulatory compliance ^{10 12}.

When contacting providers, be prepared to discuss your average weekly oil output, your current storage method, and any specific compliance concerns you may have.

Frequently asked questions

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