D&W 
NEW: Grease Theft Prevention Badges
USED COOKING OIL THEFT IS A CRIME
The theft of used cooking oil (UCO) is real. It is a serious crime which is seeing a dramatic rise. It may sound like teenagers pranking a restaurant but it is a crime and it harms restaurants stretched thin by a pandemic and puts patrons, employees and owners at risk. Many of these thieves are hardened criminals who have served time for more serious crimes-theft, assault, trafficking and more. Grease theft is rising because the price of oil is rising. Thieves are more brazen but there are telltale signs that the truck out back contains a criminal thief. That’s why D&W is announcing its newest grease theft prevention initiative—driver badges.
TELL TALE SIGNS OF GREASE THEFT
Thieves may arrive during off-hours with bolt cutters, breaking into locked oil bins, spilling used oil onto parking lots and down sewer drains, clogging waste water paths. Thieves arrive in unmarked trucks.
More recently, more brazen thieves arrive during daylight in their unmarked white cargo van or tank truck, go into a restaurant, flash their phones with the website of a legitimate UCO collector like D&W Alternative Energy and claim they are working for that company.
THE GREASE THEFT PREVENTION BADGE PROGRAM
That’s why D&W is starting its new grease theft prevention badge program. Beginning, April 5, all D&W drivers will have a badge with them.
This badge has a QR code which you can scan with your phone. Just open the camera on your own phone and hold it over the code. It will take you to a hidden web page with a picture of the driver. If the pictures don’t match-call the police.
D&W is doing this to protect your restaurant, your employees, your business.
IF YOU IDENTIFY A THIEF
- Call the police. 911
- If you can, get a picture of the truck and the license plate.
- Notify D&W at 609-902-5093
ORGANIZED CRIME AND COOKING OIL
Many of these thieves operate in rings, stealing UCO in one state and transferring it to a middleman in another state to sell it to yet another illegitimate operator. These individuals are dangerous and put your patrons and employees at risk. The people committing theft often can’t get legitimate work because of their criminal histories. You do not want these people in your restaurant. Be aware.
USED COOKING OIL RECYCLING
Legitimate recyclers of used cooking oil help turn UCO into biodiesel fuel which helps the environment, slows climate change and promotes U.S. energy independence. Most UCO collectors clean grease traps and some, like D&W, keep your property clean and attractive to patrons. Thieves steal from your business, damage your property and put your business at risk. D&W’s grease theft prevention badge program will help make sure you can trust the people who pick up your oil.