Great Neck Water Pollution Control District wants Thanksgiving cooking oil

Planning to deep-fry a turkey this year? Residents covered by the Great Neck Water Pollution Control District can schedule a free pickup of the used oil, which will be converted to biofuel to be used by the district.

The district will take any sort of used cooking oil or grease produced during the Thanksgiving holiday. Residents within the district can call 516-482-0238 until Wednesday to schedule a pickup, which will take place on Friday. During the pickup, the oil or grease will be poured into the district’s collection vessel straight from a resident’s deep fryer or sealable container.

Oils and grease are harmful to sewer systems, causing buildup and blockages in pipes, according to the district.

“By setting up this collection, we will not only ease the hassle of proper disposal for our residents, but will also help prevent damage to our sewer infrastructure and our environment,” district chairman Jerry Landsberg said in a statement. “Additionally, the biofuel that is produced from the oil will generate electricity at our facility and decrease our carbon footprint.”