The Weile Woods

peashooter85:

Bacon into Bombs,

During World War II the need for raw materials led to several drives and campaigns to either ration or recycle those goods in civilian life.  There were scrap metal drives and rubber drives.  The were rationing policies for necessary goods such as fuel, metals, and food.  One of the more unusual campaigns was for civilians to save their used cooking fat, whatever was left over from fried chicken, French fries, bacon, or whatever fried foods that made up the American diet.  Grease and fats were a precious war time material, needed because they contained high contents of glycerin, used in high explosives for bombs, mines, torpedoes, and artillery shells.  The US Government encouraged housewives everywhere to collect their unwanted grease, distributing leaflets, posters, and commissioning radio advertisements to support the program.  Civilians were encouraged to strain the grease so that no food particles remained, then store it in a can or jar until at least a pound was collected.  The fat could then be sold to one of 250,000 participating butchers and meat retailer, or of 4,000 frozen food distributors.  Those who turned in their grease were paid 4 cents a pound, and were also rewarded with 2 extra ration stamps.

The campaign to collect waste cooking fats during World War II was not as fruitful as expected. In December of 1943 butter, lard, vegetable oil, and other fats were rationed by the government.  As a result many households chose to strain and reuse their cooking fats rather than collect it.   Regardless, millions of pounds of used fats and cooking grease were collected for the war effort.