Fort Worth residents with leftover cooking oil from Thanksgiving and the rest of the holiday season have a free alternative to the kitchen sink. The regional Holiday Grease Roundup is underway and runs through Jan. 31, 2027, according to the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), which organizes the program.
NBC 5 reported that 68 drop-off locations are open around the Dallas-Fort Worth region, with 49 cities, counties and water districts taking part. Fort Worth is one of the partners listed on the program's website, Defend Your Drains North Texas.
Where to take it in Fort Worth
The city's Environmental Collection Center, 6400 Bridge St., accepts up to 10 gallons of cooking oil per visit, according to the city. It is open Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Residents must bring proof of residence, such as a current water bill or a valid driver's license, and the center does not accept business waste.
The regional drop-off map also lists four city drop-off stations: Brennan, 2400 Brennan Ave.; Southeast, 5150 Martin Luther King Freeway; Old Hemphill, 6260 Old Hemphill Road; and Hillshire, 301 Hillshire Drive. Seasonal dates and hours for those stations were not confirmed for this year, so residents should call the city at 817-392-1234 before heading out.
Why it matters
Fats, oils and grease poured down a drain cool and harden inside pipes, NCTCOG says, and the buildup can block household plumbing. Larger blockages can lead to sewer overflows that reach streets, neighborhoods and waterways. The risk rises during the holidays, when meals involve frying oil, butter and meat drippings.
"A little grease poured down the drain can lead to big problems for homeowners and communities," Hannah Ordonez, a senior planner in NCTCOG's Environment and Development Department, told NBC 5.
Grease collected through the program is recycled into alternative fuels such as biodiesel or biogas, according to the program website.
