OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Reduce, reuse, and recycle. That’s the order of the day for the City of Ocala.

The city’s water resources department is seeking to uphold this unwritten law by hosting a Cooking Oil Recycling Day on Saturday, Nov. 30.

The event is part of the city’s “Protect Your Pipes” campaign, which educates residents on safe disposal methods for Fats, Oils, and Grease (abbreviated F.O.G) to prevent blockages and protect the environment.

The city says that improper disposal of cooking oils can have “significant” negative impacts on the environment and nearby infrastructure. They say that F.O.G. can coat and harden inside pipes causing sewer clogs, backups, and overflows into local waterways. It can further impact soil and water quality.

For the event, the city encourages residents to bring used cooking oil in a sealed container to the Ocala Wetlands Recharge Park on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., where it will be properly disposed of.

The city says participating residents are playing a huge role in reducing blockages in plumbing systems and protecting Ocala’s natural resources.

For now, the city’s water resource department offers some tips on properly discarding cooking oil at home:

  1. Cool, Contain, and Can: Allow oils to cool, then scrape them into a disposable container before placing them in the trash.
  2. Wipe Before Washing: Use a paper towel or pan scraper to remove food residues from plates, pots, and pans before rinsing or loading them into the dishwasher.
  3. Use a Sink Strainer: Place a sink strainer over the drain to catch food particles, and regularly empty it into the trash.

“Through these small daily habits, residents can help maintain a clean, efficient wastewater system and protect Ocala’s environment,” says the city.

Visit the City of Ocala’s Water Resources Department website for more information on the event and cooking oil recycling tips.