How to Get Rid of Turkey Fryer Oil and Cooking Grease
✓ Last verified October 29, 2026 against official city and town sources. See sources.
A turkey fryer can leave you with gallons of used oil. Pouring it down a sink, toilet or storm drain clogs pipes and sewers, so cities tell residents to cool it, seal it and throw it out with the trash.
The short version
- Let the oil cool completely first.
- Pour it into a container you can seal, then put it in the trash.
- Never pour oil or grease into a sink, toilet, tub or street sewer inlet.
By city and town
New York City (DSNY) Year-round rule
Don't pour cooking oil or grease down sinks, toilets or any drain, because it clogs pipes and causes sewage backups. Let it cool, pour it into a container, seal it and put it out with your trash. Wipe the leftover oil off with a paper towel.
Greasy food and food-soiled paper can go in Curbside Composting, and so can small amounts of shortening, butter and rendered fats. Larger amounts of shortening and animal fat go in the trash.
- Oil
- Cool, seal, trash
- Small fats / greasy paper
- Curbside Composting
Source: DSNY – Oils, Grease, & Fats
Philadelphia, PA Year-round rule
The Philadelphia Water Department says to get rid of grease and animal fats as solid waste, in garbage bags, so they go out with the trash. Pouring cooking grease into sinks, tubs or sewer inlets causes sewer blockages and backups. PWD doesn't recommend soaps, drain cleaners or "grease-eating" bacteria products for grease.
- Grease
- Bag it with trash
- Never
- Sinks, tubs, sewer inlets
Source: Philadelphia Water Department – Grease Disposal Guide (PDF)
Not listed yet: We haven't found an official 2026 cooking-oil drop-off for the NJ towns we cover. Passaic County's household hazardous waste events take motor oil, not cooking oil.
FAQ
Can I pour turkey fryer oil down the drain?
No. NYC and Philadelphia both say grease and oil clog pipes and sewers.
How do I throw out a lot of cooking oil in NYC?
Let it cool, pour it into a sealed container and put it out with your trash, per DSNY.