Fryer grease rustling rises due to oil price hikes

Grease thefts have spiked whenever fuel prices climbed during the last four years and this spring is no different, according to Tom Cook, president of the National Renderers Association. “It’s on the rise and it’s because of higher oil prices,” Cook said. “I have one member who told me it’s costing his business $1 million a year.” Recyclers typically contract with restaurants to pick up the waste product. The grease is cleaned and sold for use as biofuel, livestock feed and other products. An Omaha recycler has filed theft reports with police in Omaha and Lincoln in Nebraska, and Sioux City, Iowa. Thieves recently stole about 1,909 kg of used grease from six Lincoln fast-food restaurants.