Binman shares the right way to get rid of old cooking oil — not the food bin

For those of us who cook regularly at home, there's one kitchen waste product that can be troublesome if not disposed of properly. Used cooking oil can be confusing to get rid of, especially when you've got a significant amount. It's widely known that it should never be poured down the sink, as it can solidify quickly and cause blockages that are costly to sort out. You might assume that the food bin is the obvious solution. However, according to one binman on social media, this is actually wrong too. The No1 Binman on TikTok , a self-proclaimed 'binfluencer', regularly posts useful videos helping Brits understand what can and cannot be thrown away. Most of his content is based on questions from his followers, and he recently waded into the debate surrounding the proper disposal of used cooking oil. Pouring it down the sink is the obvious wrong answer, but according to the expert, the food bin is equally off-limits. He said: "Used cooking oil should go in your general waste. "Do not put it in the food waste, and definitely not the recycling bin." The expert clarified that you shouldn't pour the oil directly into the bin, as this could cause problems with the bag splitting. He said: "If you can, put it in a container or something that can't be recycled and then put it in your general waste. It stops it from going anywhere in case a bag splits." A carton or a jar is an ideal example of a suitable container; just ensure whatever you use has a secure, sealable lid. However, the bin man pointed out one exception to this guidance. He explained: "If you've got loads of it, like commercial, then no, it doesn't go in your general bin. You'd have to either contact your council or get someone else to come and collect it. "But if it's just like a normal family-sized amount of cooking oil, then it'll just go in your general waste." If you're keen to squeeze even more value out of your leftover cooking oil, recycling specialists Zero Waste Scotland have suggested some straightforward ways to put it to good use. It can be brushed onto your garden shed or fence as an alternative to creosote, as it won't stain the wood and is perfectly safe to use around plants and animals. You could also use leftover cooking fat from chicken or bacon to whip up a tasty treat for garden birds. Simply pour it into a pot, mix in bird seeds and nuts, leave it to set, then hang it outside for the birds to enjoy.