Table of Contents
Why Yellow Grease Matters to NJ Feed & Pet Food Plants
New Jersey renderers reclaim more than 1.6 billion lbs of used cooking oil nationally each year, turning it into feed grade fats and renewable fuels a circular economy that keeps waste out of landfills. DEP listed plants buy “yellow grease” and tallow because their high energy value boosts pellet nutrition and reduces soy oil demand. For restaurants in Newark, Jersey City, Paterson and Camden, partnering with feed mills means rebates instead of disposal fees and an easy sustainability story diners love.
How DEP Listed Rendering Partnerships Work
DEP maintains a public roster of licensed renderers authorized to move animal fats across New Jersey highways. Grease Connections schedules sealed, GPS tracked pickups, then delivers your oil to those plants under Sanitary Transportation rules that prevent cross contamination with human food cargo. Every load travels with a digital manifest you can pull up in seconds during Trenton or Atlantic City health inspections no binders, no stress.
Compliance Corner: NJ DEP, FDA & Biosecurity
Feed mills that accept fryer oil must meet FDA Food Code sourcing rules and NJAC 8:24 requirements proving fats came from approved vendors. Your storage tank counts toward EPA SPCC oil thresholds; a simple 55 gal drum in Edison still needs secondary containment under the Vegetable Oils & Animal Fats rule. Grease Connections provides template spill plans and annual training so Camden or Elizabeth facilities stay inspection ready without hiring extra staff.
Logistics & Spill Prevention from Your Fryer to the Plant
Our vacuum tankers follow USDA biosecure routing that avoids live animal sites, protecting poultry barns in Vineland and egg layers in Hammonton from pathogen spread. Drivers photograph seals on pickup and delivery; images feed into your compliance dashboard alongside automatic volume logging ending the “do I have to call?” confusion we hear daily. If a hose leak occurs, onboard spill kits and SPCC protocols trigger instant containment and DEP notification within one hour.
| Accepted Fats | Prohibited Contaminants |
|---|---|
| Fryer yellow grease, poultry fat, beef tallow | Motor oil, water >5 %, solid debris >½ in |
Revenue & Sustainability by City
USDA market news shows yellow grease averages ≈ $0.68/lb in June 2025 almost triple 2024 lows so Newark brewpubs now earn real rebates instead of break even pickups. Pairing grease recycling with DEP food waste diversion grants can cut disposal costs another 15 % for Jersey City commissaries. Restaurants can display “Grease to Feed” certificates to satisfy eco minded tourists in Atlantic City and Hoboken.
| NJ City | Local DEP Hotline | Rendering Route Day |
|---|---|---|
| Newark | 973‑648‑4444 | Tuesday |
| Jersey City | 201‑656‑6725 | Wednesday |
| Paterson | 973‑881‑4790 | Thursday |
| Camden | 856‑757‑7131 | Friday |
Next Steps: Secure Your Grease Connection
- Book a site survey we size the tank and set your SPCC threshold.
- Sign digital service & rebate agreement no monthly fees when volumes exceed 40 gal.
- Track pickups in real time via our portal; manifests auto sync with DEP inspection forms.
Most customers see first rebate checks within a single billing cycle proof that waste really can feed New Jersey’s farms and pets.
Grease Connections advises teaming with an industry leader not a generic “hauler” to turn fryer waste into certified feed fats while keeping every DEP, FDA and EPA box checked.
