Used Cooking Oil Recycling & Grease Pickup in Athens, GA
Athens restaurants generate thousands of gallons of used cooking oil and FOG each month; enough to clog sewers, damage equipment, and trigger four figure fines. We collect that oil on your schedule, supply leak proof containers, and deliver it to EPA registered biodiesel plants where it becomes low carbon fuel. Every pickup includes a Georgia compliant manifest, helping you sail through Athens Clarke County FOG inspections while earning a steady rebate stream.
★★★★★
Rated 5 Stars on Google
Get Paid Automatically
Schedule a free pickup; enter your information below we will get back to you within 15 minutes.
Why Recycling Matters in Athens
Athens Clarke County’s FOG ordinance requires every food service establishment to keep fats, oils, and grease out of the sewer or face penalties up to $1,000 per day. Blocked mains caused by uncollected grease have already cost the county more than $250,000 in emergency repairs since 2021. By partnering with a licensed oil recycler, kitchens comply with State Rule 391-3-6-.24 governing grease transport and disposal.
End to End Service Pickup, Disposal & Recycling
Our Athens route trucks swap sealed 70 gallon caddies or 140 gallon outdoor tanks before peak hours, pump bulk tanks, and pressure wash spill zones in one visit. Every gallon is weighed on board, logged in real time, and sent to a USDA verified biodiesel plant through transesterification, turning 100 lb of oil into 100 lb of ASTM D6751 fuel and 10 lb of glycerin. Restaurants receive digital manifests and monthly rebate statements indexed to the Jacobsen UCO price benchmark. thejacobsen.com
Bulletproof Compliance & Documentation
Inspectors look first for the 1,500 gallon minimum grease trap, cleaned at least quarterly, and for on site waste oil manifests kept one year. Our drivers hold Georgia EPD transporter permits and follow EPA “used oil” labeling, container integrity, and closed lid rules. You stay audit ready without paperwork headaches.
How the Process Works
- Free site audit pinpoints ideal container size and pickup cadence.
- Delivery & setup of leak proof drums, caddies, or tanks within 48 hours.
- No touch swaps: staff pour oil, we do the rest.
- Electronic manifest & rebate emailed instantly after each haul.
- Traceable recycling: oil converted to biodiesel that powers farm equipment at UGA and fleets statewide.
Economic & Environmental Wins
Biodiesel made from Athens fryers cuts lifecycle greenhouse gases up to 86% compared with diesel, according to DOE AFDC data. Local kitchens divert material otherwise destined for landfills, support UGA research, and tap a rising commodity: UCO traded above corn oil for much of 2024.
Container Options (always free)
| Capacity | Ideal Volume | Footprint | Typical User |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55 gal black drum | <75 lb/wk | 23″ Ø × 36″ | Food trucks & cafés |
| 70 gal wheeled caddy | 75 to 150 lb/wk | 27″ × 30″ | Fast casual kitchens |
| 240 gal outdoor tank w/ lid | 150 to 400 lb/wk | 48″ × 40″ | Full service restaurants |
| 300 gal tank + pump cart | >400 lb/wk | 60″ × 48″ | Hotels & campuses |
Scheduling & Service Area
We run nightly, weekly, or on call routes across Athens Clarke County including Five Points, Downtown, and the UGA campus plus nearby Watkinsville, Winterville, and Bogart. Emergency 2 hour spill response is available 24/7 through our local depot off in Atlanta, GA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to rinse my fryer before pickup? No; just filter food particles; our biodiesel processor handles the rest, per EPA guidance.
Will oil theft void my rebate? We install locking lids and GPS tagged tanks; loss events have dropped 90% in cities using these controls.
Can I combine grease trap waste with fryer oil? State Rule 391-3-6-.24 requires separate collection; we supply trap pumping under the same manifest to simplify scheduling.
Waste nothing; profit from every gallon with Grease Connections.
Ready to Recycle?
Stop wrestling with messy drums and looming fines; book your free Athens grease audit today. Call (770) 284-4646 or click Schedule My Pickup to lock in next day service and cash positive oil recycling.