New Jersey fights a never‑ending battle against fatbergs—rock‑hard clumps of fat, oil, and grease (FOG) that glue themselves to sewer walls. In 2024 alone, Middlesex and Hudson counties logged more than 400 emergency clear‑outs, soaking rate‑payers for about $3 million. A single turkey‑fry mishap can add to that total. This guide shows you exactly how to keep oil out of drains—and out of taxpayers’ pockets.
Key Terms
Fatberg: A sewer blockage made of congealed FOG and debris.
FOG: Fats, oils, and grease from kitchens.
Interceptor (grease trap): A tank that captures FOG before it hits public pipes.
How to Use This Guide
- Scan the Table of Contents to jump to the part that fits your situation—home kitchen or commercial operation.
- Follow the decision tree if you are not sure which disposal option applies.
- Bookmark the county directory before your next fry session.
- Print the checklist or wallet card from the downloads section for quick reference.
Table of Contents
Why Every Drop Counts
Mini‑summary: Kitchen oil seems harmless, but it cripples sewers and budgets.
- Seven percent of New Jersey sewer blockages trace back to FOG—double the U.S. average (NJDEP 2024 audit).
- Pending Senate Bill S‑3437 would fine illegal dumpers $2,500 (first), $5,000 (second), and $10,000 (third) statewide.
- Towns add their own fines: Elizabeth up to $2,000 per day, Camden $1,000 plus cleanup, Berkeley Heights $500 for repeats.
Together, these costs fund repairs instead of parks, schools, and roads. Proper disposal flips that script.
Home Kitchens: Five Easy Workflows
Mini‑summary: Match your household’s oil volume to one of these plug‑and‑play routines.
| Scenario | Step‑by‑Step Plan | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Small Apartment (≤ 1 qt per week) | 1. Cool oil in a heat‑safe jar. 2. Strain through a coffee 3. Freeze. On trash day, wrap and bin (Union Co. allows < 1 gal solidified oil). | Freeze grease in silicone “puck” molds for mess‑free disposal. |
| Big‑Family Fry Night | Cool → strain → pour into a 0.5 gal jug. When full, drop at your county household‑hazardous‑waste (HHW) event. | Mark the jug COOKING OIL – RESIDENTIAL to avoid confusion. |
| Holiday Turkey Fryer (3–4 gal) | Cool to 110 °F, pump back into the original jug, then deliver to Bergen County’s mobile fryer‑oil trailer (runs three times a year). | Reserve a slot online right after Thanksgiving. |
| Multi‑Unit Building | Ask management about a shared 55 gal FOG barrel. If none exists, split a quarterly pickup from a licensed recycler ($70–$90 per 35 gal tote). | Shared service beats a single plumbing bill. |
| Tiny Home / RV / Cottage | Store oil in a screw‑top paint can, mix with clay cat litter, and toss as solid waste (NJDEP Bulletin 2024‑03). | Keep a mini grease‑keeper next to the stove to catch crumbs early. |
Restaurants & Food Trucks: Rules, Costs, Checklists
Mini‑summary: Stay legal, cut downtime, and even earn credit for used oil.
3.1 Key Regulations (Plain‑English Notes)
| Rule | What It Means | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| NJAC 7:9A‑8.1 | Install grease traps close to the sink or fryer on their own pipe. Inspectors need clear access. | Up to local enforcement action |
| PVSC §303.4 (Essex, Hudson, Bergen) | Register for a FOG approval number and pay an annual fee ($90–$250). | Additional penalties for no permit |
| Senate Bill S‑3437 (pending) | Statewide penalty ladder for illegal dumping—$2,500 / $5,000 / $10,000. | Set by statute |
3.2 Local Grease‑Trap Minimums
| City | Trap Size | Pump‑Out | City Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth | 1,000 gal (≥ 50 seats) | Every 90 days | ≤ $2,000 per day |
| Berkeley Heights | Twice peak hourly flow | Every 30 days | $250 first, $500 repeat |
| Camden | 750 gal exterior (restaurants); food trucks exempt | Every 60 days | $1,000 + cleanup |
| Jersey City | 1 lb grease per 1.5 GPM flow | Every 90 days | $500–$1,000 |
| Newark | 1,000 gal exterior if > 75 seats | Every 30 days | $1,250 + court fees |
3.3 2025 Hauler Price Check
| Hauler | Region | Cost (≤ 100 gal) | Contract Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grease Connections | Statewide | credit up to $1.00 per gal (≥ 150 gal per month) | No contract, free lockable barrels |
| Darling Ingredients | Statewide | credit $0.85 per gal (≥ 150 gal per month) | Two‑year term, barrels included |
| Mahoney Environmental | North & Central | $55 flat (55 gal drum ≤ 100 lb) | Net‑30 terms |
| TFS Recycling | South | $0.20 per gal (< 75 gal) or free with trap pumping | Month‑to‑month |
3.4 Kitchen Checklist (Post by the Mop Sink)
- Verify trap size against seating or flow.
- Log pump‑outs; keep manifests three years.
- Train staff: scrape pans, use sink strainers—never hot‑water purges.
- Keep a spill kit within 25 ft of the fryer.
- Post the hauler’s 24‑hour number.
- File the annual FOG certificate with your county health department.
Where to Drop Off Oil in All 21 Counties
Mini‑summary: There’s a legal drop‑off within a 30‑minute drive of nearly every NJ home.
| County | Main Site & Hours | Household Limit | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic | ACUA Recycling Center, Egg Harbor Twp – 1st Sat monthly, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. | ≤ 5 gal | 609‑272‑6913 |
| Bergen | BCUA Moonachie – Mon–Fri 7 a.m.–11 a.m.; HHW events Apr 6, Jun 8, Oct 19 | ≤ 10 gal per month | 201‑807‑5825 |
| Burlington | Resource Recovery Complex, Florence – Wed & Sat 7 a.m.–2 p.m. | ≤ 5 gal | 609‑499‑5300 |
| Camden | Pennsauken Sanitation Yard – 3rd Sat monthly, 8 a.m.–12 p.m. | ≤ 5 gal | 856‑665‑1000 |
| Cape May | County MUA, CMCH – 1st & 3rd Wed, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. | ≤ 5 gal | 609‑465‑9026 |
| Cumberland | Solid Waste Complex, Deerfield – Tue–Sat 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. | ≤ 5 gal | 856‑825‑3700 |
| Essex | DPW Yard, Cedar Grove – 1st Sat monthly, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. | ≤ 5 gal | 973‑857‑3364 |
| Gloucester | Solid Waste Complex, Clayton – Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–4 p.m. | ≤ 5 gal | 856‑478‑6045 |
| Hudson | Kearny HHW Facility – Thu & Sat 8 a.m.–2 p.m. | ≤ 10 gal | 201‑432‑4645 |
| Hunterdon | Route 12 Complex, Flemington – 2nd Sat monthly, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. | ≤ 5 gal | 908‑788‑1110 |
| Mercer | Dempster Fire School, Lawrence – Call for quarterly HHW dates | ≤ 5 gal | 609‑278‑8086 |
| Middlesex | East Brunswick Recycling Center – 1st Sat monthly, 8 a.m.–12 p.m. | ≤ 5 gal | 732‑745‑4170 |
| Monmouth | Hazlet HHW Facility – Tue–Sat 7 a.m.–3 p.m. | ≤ 5 gal | 732‑683‑8686 |
| Morris | MCMUA, Mt. Olive – Mon–Fri 7 a.m.–3 p.m.; Sat 7 a.m.–12 p.m. | ≤ 10 gal | 973‑829‑8006 |
| Ocean | Southern Recycling Center, Manahawkin – Wed & Sat 8 a.m.–3 p.m. | ≤ 5 gal | 609‑978‑0913 |
| Passaic | Preakness DPW, Wayne – 4th Sat monthly, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. | ≤ 5 gal | 973‑305‑5738 |
| Salem | Solid Waste Facility, Alloway – Mon–Fri 7:30 a.m.–3 p.m. | ≤ 5 gal | 856‑935‑7900 |
| Somerset | Recycling Center, Bridgewater – 1st Sat monthly, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. | ≤ 5 gal | 908‑203‑6018 |
| Sussex | SCMUA, Lafayette – Mon–Sat 7 a.m.–2 p.m. | ≤ 5 gal | 973‑579‑6998 |
| Union | HHW Events: Mar 23, Jun 1, Sept 21 – 9 a.m.–2 p.m. | ≤ 10 gal | 908‑654‑9890 |
| Warren | Pollution Control Financing, Oxford – Mon–Fri 7 a.m.–3 p.m. | ≤ 5 gal | 908‑453‑2174 |
Quick‑Decision Guide
Mini‑summary: Three questions point you to the right disposal option.
- How much oil do you have?
- 15 gal or more: Call a licensed hauler (Section 3.3).
- Under 15 gal: Go to Question 2.
- Is a county drop‑off within 15 miles?
- Yes: Cool, strain, seal, and deliver during posted hours (Section 4).
- No: Go to Question 3.
- Is the oil solid at room temperature?
- Yes: Scrape or chip it into a lined trash bag (≤ 1 qt per week).
- No: Cool, strain, seal in a rigid container, freeze overnight, then dispose with household trash (≤ 1 gal per week) or store until you can reach a drop‑off site.
Handy Downloads
- Interactive Google Map: 78 verified drop‑off points statewide.
- Restaurant Checklist (PDF): One‑page wall poster.
- Wallet Card (PNG): Four‑step graphic for households.
Request any file by emailing recycle@njdep.gov with the subject Oil Tools or by calling (609) 292‑1305.
Common Questions
Can I reuse fryer oil? Yes—strain it, store it in a sealed jar (fridge preferred), and discard when it smells like paint or smokes at low heat.
Do food trucks need exterior interceptors? Not if they dump into sealed totes at a commissary that has a code‑compliant trap (Camden §281‑5).
My building has no grease trap. What now? State fire code (NJAC 5:70‑3) allows a shared 55 gal drum in the utility room. Management must schedule hauler service every 30 days.
Is hot water good enough to flush oil? No. Hot water only moves grease farther down the pipe; it cools, hardens, and clogs the main line.
Take Action Today
If every NJ household recycled just one quart of oil a month, the state would keep 3.5 million lb of FOG out of sewers—enough biodiesel feedstock to power 4,600 cars annually. Pick your workflow, share this guide, and set a reminder for your next county HHW date.
Need a text alert before Turkey Day frying? Text OILREMIND + your ZIP to (888)-826-0201 for a one‑time reminder.
