Do Not Dump Your Used Cooking Oil into the Sewers – Use the Designated Collection Containers
Published on Thursday, 19 February 2026
Abir Sassi, Director of Recycling and Recovery at the National Agency for Waste Management (ANGED), delivered a clear call to action for Tunisian citizens and households: collect your used vegetable oils and deliver them to authorized facilities for proper valorisation, instead of pouring them down the drains.
Key Points from the Interview on Express FM
- Massive oil consumption – Tunisia’s market uses more than 220 000 tons of oil each year, producing roughly 88 000 tons of used‑oil waste. About 60 % of this waste (≈ 50 000 tons) originates from households.
- Current disposal practices – The majority of used oil is still being dumped into the sewer system, causing serious sanitary and environmental problems:
- Proliferation of pests (rats, mice, insects)
- Blocked pipelines
- Deterioration of wastewater treatment infrastructure
What ANGED Is Doing
To tackle the issue, ANGED has set up dedicated collection points in several municipalities, including Manouba, El Mourouj, and other pilot zones.
- Important reminder: Do not place used oil near regular waste containers. Use only the specialised collection points.
- Regulated collection system: The pickups are carried out by licensed, specialised companies operating under a strict regulatory framework.
For a complete list of authorised collection centres, visit the official ANGED website.
Why Proper Disposal Matters
Properly channeling used cooking oil into the right facilities enables its re‑processing into valuable products (e.g., biodiesel, animal feed, soap) and prevents costly damage to municipal sewer networks. By following the guidelines, citizens contribute to:
- Improved public health – fewer pest infestations and reduced risk of water contamination.
- Environmental protection – less strain on wastewater treatment plants and lower greenhouse‑gas emissions from oil‑related blockages.
- Economic benefits – the recovered oil can be transformed into market‑ready commodities, supporting Tunisia’s circular‑economy goals.
Take action today: Store your used vegetable oil in a sealed container and bring it to the nearest ANGED collection point. Together, we can keep our streets clean, our sewers flowing, and our environment healthier.
