What do I do with cooking grease and used frying oil?
Fats, oils, and grease ("FOG" in wastewater parlance) are the #1 cause of sewer blockages in Missoula — they solidify in pipes and create blockages that cost the city real money. Pouring a pan of bacon grease down the drain is how that starts.
Step 1 — Best
Reduce
Don’t create the waste in the first place.
- •Cook with less oil where the recipe allows — a lot of fried food is just as good pan-seared.
- •Reuse frying oil 3–5 times by straining it through cheesecloth after each use and storing cool.
Step 2 — Better
Reuse
Give it another life — donate, sell, or repurpose.
- •Strain used cooking oil back into the original bottle and save for the next fry-up.
- •Bacon grease is a flavor asset — store it in a jar in the fridge for eggs, cornbread, and greens.
Step 3 — Good
Recycle
Proper drop-off keeps materials in the economy.
- •Large quantities (turkey fryer, restaurant volumes): check the ZERO by FIFTY FOG page for current drop-off partners — Missoula has periodic programs with local biodiesel operations.
- •Small quantities: pour into a sealed container (old peanut butter jar, milk carton) and trash it. Do not pour down the drain.
Last Resort
Heads up
Never pour grease down the sink, even with hot water. It re-solidifies 50 feet down the pipe and costs the city thousands to clear.
Where to take it in Missoula
Top spots from our verified local directory. Hours and details current as of April 2026.
Home ReSource
Top PickChanel’s tip: Home ReSource is my #1 stop for anyone renovating or decluttering building materials. Their free pickup service is a lifesaver for big loads — just text 406-880-5555 with photos. And their chemical disposal program is the ONLY legit place in Missoula to get rid of paint, solvents, and pesticides safely. Book ahead.
O'Reilly Auto Parts (Used Oil Recycling)
Still overwhelmed?
fats, oils, and grease is just one pile. If the whole house feels like this, Chanel handles the sorting, hauling, and drop-offs — across every category in this guide.
Book a Free Call →or call (406) 285-1525
Disposal information on this page is synthesized from ZERO by FIFTY Missoula’s Fats, Oils, and Grease guide, a City of Missoula initiative coordinated by Home ReSource.
Clutter Free Spaces adds local overlays: live hours, community verification, and a direct path to help if you need it.