5 Signs You Need a New Used Cooking Oil Collection Company

5 Signs You Need a New Used Cooking Oil Collection Company

Used cooking oil is one of the most overlooked parts of kitchen operations—but it’s also one of the most important. A reliable collection partner keeps your restaurant safe, clean, compliant, and protected from theft. The wrong partner, however, can cause constant headaches: spills, missed pickups, overflowing tanks, health violations, and even lost revenue.

If you’ve been experiencing any of these issues, it may be time to ask the question: Is it time for a new oil collection company? Here are the five biggest signs that your current provider is holding your business back.

1. Missed or Unpredictable Pickups

A good UCO company runs on schedule. A bad one runs “when they feel like it.” If your tank is regularly overflowing or employees are forced to store excess oil in risky ways, your provider is not doing their job.

Common red flags include:

  • Pickups that are frequently late or skipped
  • No warning before schedule changes
  • Overflowing containers and hazardous back-of-house areas
  • Your staff needing to call repeatedly to remind them

Overflowing oil tanks aren’t just annoying—they’re dangerous. They create slipping hazards, attract pests, and put you at risk for health department violations. A professional company knows your usage patterns and stays ahead of your volume.

2. Dirty Containers, Spills, and Poor Cleanup

If your UCO area constantly looks messy, it means your provider is cutting corners. Used cooking oil should never be left spilled on the ground or dripping down the side of your tank.

Warning signs include:

  • Oil on the ground or on surrounding surfaces
  • Containers that aren’t cleaned or maintained
  • Grease buildup attracting rodents or insects
  • Lingering foul smells around your pickup area

A sloppy pickup routine puts your health score, your staff, and your reputation at risk. Clean, sealed containers and tidy service are signs of a reputable partner.

3. Suspiciously Low Rebate Payments or No Payments at All

Your used cooking oil has value. If your collector isn’t paying you fairly—or isn’t paying you at all—that’s a huge problem. Some companies intentionally underreport the gallons they take or delay rebate payments hoping you won’t notice.

Look out for:

  • Rebates that don’t match your usage
  • No documentation of how many gallons were collected
  • Unexplained changes in pricing or volume reports
  • “We’ll get that to you next month” excuses

Honest companies provide transparent reports, detailed gallon counts, and fair market-based rebates. Anything less is a red flag.

4. Oil Theft or Suspicious Activity Around Your Tank

Used cooking oil theft is a growing problem. When your collector isn’t reliable—or when they fail to secure your container—you could be losing a significant amount of money each month.

Possible indicators:

  • Locks frequently missing or broken
  • Lower-than-usual oil volumes being reported
  • Tire tracks or activity behind the building overnight
  • Your collector blaming “low volume” without explanation

A legitimate oil company helps prevent theft by using secure containers, monitoring volume consistency, and notifying you if anything looks suspicious.

5. Poor Communication and Zero Accountability

If your provider is hard to reach, slow to respond, or unwilling to take responsibility for problems, that’s one of the biggest signs you need to switch.

Red flags include:

  • Calls or emails going unanswered
  • No contact person or unreliable support
  • Excuses instead of solutions
  • Unwillingness to share schedules, logs, or documentation

A dependable partner should communicate clearly, show transparency, and treat your business like a priority—not an inconvenience.

Upgrade to a Partner That Takes Your Oil (and Your Business) Seriously

If you recognize any of these signs, it’s time to consider a better solution. A professional used cooking oil provider protects your staff, your property, and your revenue—while giving you peace of mind that your oil is being collected safely, consistently, and honestly.

ReGenUco delivers clean, reliable, transparent used-cooking-oil collection for restaurants, food trucks, commercial kitchens, and cafeterias across the region.

Contact ReGenUco:
Phone: (845) 828-2425
Email: info@regenuco.com
Contact us online

Logan Moskovitz