No, oil should not be poured down the kitchen sink, and your caution is well-founded. While your mother-in-law may believe it’s harmless, improper disposal of cooking oils can cause significant plumbing and environmental problems.
Why You Shouldn’t Pour Oil Down the Sink:
- Clogged Pipes: When oil cools, it solidifies, sticking to the walls of your pipes and leading to blockages over time. This can result in slow drainage or complete pipe clogs, which are costly to fix.
- Formation of Fatbergs: In larger sewer systems, oil mixes with other debris to form “fatbergs” – massive, solidified clumps that can clog municipal sewer lines, causing widespread damage.
- Environmental Harm: Blocked sewage systems can overflow, sending untreated waste into natural waterways. This contaminates drinking water sources and harms aquatic life.
- Wildlife Endangerment: Oil that reaches rivers, lakes, or oceans can coat animals’ fur or feathers, impairing their ability to swim, stay insulated, or fly, leading to fatal consequences for wildlife.
