Top Used Cooking Oil Collection in Memphis, Tennessee Ranked

For any restaurant, food truck, or commercial kitchen in Memphis, managing used cooking oil is a critical operational task. It's not just about cleanliness; it's a matter of legal compliance, environmental responsibility, and even potential revenue. The City of Memphis has specific regulations under its Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) program designed to protect the municipal sewer system from blockages that can lead to costly and unsanitary overflows. Partnering with a professional used cooking oil (UCO) collection service is the most effective way to ensure you meet these requirements while turning a waste product into a valuable resource for biofuel production.

Proper disposal of this grease trap waste and spent fryer oil is essential for the health of our local infrastructure and waterways. By implementing a reliable oil recycling program, Memphis businesses can avoid fines, reduce their environmental footprint, and streamline their back-of-house operations. This guide outlines the local rules, the collection process, key service providers, and what you need to know to establish a compliant and efficient system.

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 Memphis FOG Regulations

The City of Memphis Storm Water Department enforces a FOG control program to prevent Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs). When fats, oils, and grease are poured down drains, they cool, solidify, and create massive blockages in the sewer lines ^{1 2}. These blockages can cause raw sewage to back up into homes, businesses, and streets, creating public health hazards and significant cleanup costs.

The cornerstone of compliance is never pouring used cooking oil or greasy wastewater down any drain². This includes sinks, floor drains, and toilets. Staff should be trained to scrape food scraps into the trash before washing dishes and to use food grinders sparingly. The city mandates that establishments use licensed haulers for the proper removal and disposal of used cooking oil and grease interceptor waste ^{3 4}. Regular maintenance and cleaning of your grease trap or grease interceptor is also a non-negotiable part of staying in compliance with local ordinances ^{4 5}.

The Professional Collection and Recycling Process

A professional UCO collection service manages the entire lifecycle of your waste oil, from container to conversion.

1. Secure Storage: The process begins with proper on-site storage. Reputable recyclers typically provide durable, sealable collection containers (often at no cost) to store the cooled oil ^{6 7}. These containers should be kept in a cool, dark, and secure location, such as a locked enclosure or a fenced area, to prevent spills, contamination, and unfortunately, theft, which has become an issue for this valuable commodity ⁸.

2. Scheduled Pickup: Based on your volume of oil production, you'll establish a pickup schedule-whether weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. The hauler will arrive, pump or swap out your full containers, and leave you with clean, empty ones, ensuring a continuous cycle ^{6 4}.

3. Transformation into Biofuel: The collected oil is not simply dumped. It is transported to a processing facility where it undergoes filtering to remove food particles and water. The purified oil is then converted into valuable products, primarily biodiesel-a renewable, cleaner-burning fuel-or other industrial lubricants and feedstocks ^{3 9 10}. This circular economy model ensures your kitchen waste is diverted from landfills and given a productive second life.

Key Service Providers for Memphis Restaurants

Several established companies offer comprehensive used cooking oil pickup and recycling services in the Memphis area. It's advisable to contact a few to compare services, schedules, and terms.

• Mahoney Environmental: A national provider with local service, Mahoney offers automated cooking oil management systems, manual collection services, and complementary grease trap cleaning ^{6 4}. They provide containers and focus on creating a seamless recycling program for kitchens of all sizes.
• Grand Natural Inc.: A local Tennessee company, Grand Natural provides free collection containers and scheduled used cooking oil pickup for Memphis restaurants. They also offer grease trap and grease interceptor cleaning services, making them a one-stop shop for FOG compliance ^{3 7}.
• Liquid Recovery Solutions (LRS): Operating in Tennessee, LRS promotes efficient, 24/7 collection services. They emphasize reliable pickup to prevent container overflows and ensure your kitchen remains clean and compliant ¹¹.

Cost Considerations and Potential Revenue

The financial model for used cooking oil collection can vary. Many services offer free pickup for smaller volumes (often under 100 gallons per month) because the value of the recycled oil covers their service costs ^{12 13}. For larger generators, fees may apply, typically ranging from $0.10 to $0.65 per gallon, depending on the volume and frequency of service ^{12 13}.

Importantly, high-quality, clean used cooking oil (free from excessive food debris and water) has significant market value. Some arrangements may even provide a revenue share, where the restaurant earns a small amount per gallon of oil collected ¹². However, if the oil is heavily contaminated, the hauler may charge a disposal fee, as the cost to clean it outweighs its value. Maintaining clean oil through proper filtering during kitchen use is key to maximizing potential benefits.

Setting Up Your Restaurant's Oil Recycling Program

Taking the first steps toward a compliant oil recycling program is straightforward.

1. Review City Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with the specific requirements of the Memphis Storm Water FOG Program. Their resources clearly outline best management practices for your kitchen ^{3 1}.
2. Assess Your Needs: Estimate how much used cooking oil you generate weekly. Also, note the location and access for pickup, and the condition of your current storage method.
3. Contact Local Recyclers: Reach out to providers like Mahoney Environmental, Grand Natural, or Liquid Recovery Solutions for a consultation ^{3 6 11}. Discuss your volume, request a quote, and ask about container provisioning, pickup schedules, and any complementary services like grease trap cleaning.
4. Train Your Staff: Implement a simple, clear procedure for cooling, filtering, and transferring oil into the designated collection container. Consistent staff training is the most effective way to ensure program success and prevent drain clogs.

Establishing a professional used cooking oil collection service is a smart business decision for any Memphis food service establishment. It fulfills your legal obligations, protects the city's infrastructure, contributes to a greener economy, and can even improve your bottom line.

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