Table of Contents
Why <15 Gallons Still Matter
Even a single fryer’s worth of oil can clog sewers, attract pests, and trigger fines under New Jersey’s “fat, oil, grease” (FOG) ordinances. State regs treat used cooking oil as a recyclable resource, not trash, so dropping it at approved sites keeps drains clear and lets renderers turn it into biodiesel.
The Live Drop Off Map in One Click
Grease Connections maintains a Google Map with 78 verified public drop off points all open to residents and small eateries handling less than 15 gallons per trip. Search by ZIP or ask for “city + used cooking oil recycling” and the map zooms to your closest tank.
NJ Cooking Oil Recycling Locations
78 verified drop-off points for residents & small eateries (under 15 gallons)
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No map? Call (770) 284-4646 or text your ZIP to (770) 284-4646
County Snapshot at a Glance
| County (link for “city + keyword”) | Core Site / Event | Limit | Typical Hours* | 2025 Dates* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bergen | BCUA “Grease Day,” Moonachie & Mahwah | 10 gal | 9 am to 3 pm | Mar 8, May 10, Nov 15 |
| Middlesex | Five weekly recycling centers | 10 gal | Sat 8 am to 12 pm | Ongoing |
| Somerset | Traveling HHW days | 10 gal | 9 am to 2 pm | Mar 15, Jun 14, Oct 18 |
| Atlantic | ACUA Environmental Park | 5 gal/container | 8 am to 1 pm | Jul 12, Sep 6, Nov 8 |
Bergen County: “Grease Day” Basics
The BCUA lets residents and mom and pop kitchens drop up to ten gallons at its Household Hazardous Waste events in Moonachie, Mahwah, and Paramus. Staff unload straight from your trunk; stay in the vehicle and keep containers sealed.
Middlesex County’s Weekly Tank Network
East Brunswick, Monroe, Old Bridge, South Plainfield, and Woodbridge each keep a dedicated vegetable oil tank. No businesses larger than 15 gal, no lard or motor oil, and attendants must witness every pour.
Atlantic County Rules in a Nutshell
ACUA’s drop off accepts household quantities but does not take commercial loads; each container maxes at five gallons. Proof of residency required, and staff will not return your jug.
Somerset County Rolling Events
Five Saturday HHW drives tour the county each year. They welcome used cooking oil alongside paints and fuels handy for cafes that fry only on weekends. Bring ID and keep it under ten gallons.
Prep Your Oil: Cool, Contain, or Solidify
New Jersey towns endorse three steps: cool the oil, strain crumbs, then transport in a tight lid container. For tiny volumes, Livingston Township suggests letting oil congeal in a jar and tossing it in regular trash.
Solidification Options
| Method | Best For | Disposal Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freeze overnight | ≤1 cup | Trash | Simple, no additives. |
| Flour or gelatin mix | 1 to 2 cups | Trash | Cheap pantry fix. |
| Commercial solidifier (e.g., FryAway) | 2 to 8 cups | Trash | Works in 40 min, plant based. |
Commercial solidifiers bind oil molecules, forming a waxy puck that meets landfill rules.
After the Drop: Where the Oil Goes
County vendors blend your fryer oil into feedstock for biodiesel or industrial lubricants, reducing greenhouse gases compared with diesel by up to 86 percent. Each gallon you recycle powers about two passenger cars for a mile.
Small Eateries: Stay Compliant, Stay Lean
If your café or food truck produces under 15 gal a month, these drop offs keep you in line with local FOG ordinances and save pickup fees. Log every trip, label containers, and post NJAC 7:26 signs reminding staff never to pour oil down drains.
Growing Beyond 15 Gallons?
When production climbs, storing drums on site may breach fire code. Grease Connections offers sealed, swap and go bins and scheduled pickups no contracts, revenue share on every gallon, and instant EPA manifests. Ask for Newark used collection company” to see if we’re already next door.
