ETHICS IN COOKING OIL DISPOSAL: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS FOR REDUCING CONTAMINATION

Abstract

The disposal of waste cooking oil (WCO) causes damage to sewage networks and deeply degrades aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. This study analyzed the environmental impacts and ethical implications of improper WCO disposal, discussing technological solutions and practices in recent literature through a literature review and case studies. The results reveal an alarming scenario: although 94% of the population is aware of the ecological damage, 81% dump the waste directly into the kitchen sink. This ethical and behavioral contradiction stems from structural and bureaucratic barriers, and a lack of government publicity regarding collection points. Technically, processes such as WCO conversion into bio-oil via thermocatalytic cracking, reuse in sheep nutrition, mandatory residential grease traps, and structured post-consumer reverse logistics chains prove to be viable and sustainable pathways. It is concluded that effective interventions depend on integrated public actions to expand and publicize collection, converting the critical scenario into a circular economy, promoting urban sustainability and ecological preservation.