Fats, oils and grease

In a busy kitchen fats, oils and grease (FOG) in liquid form can  quickly solidify once in the sewer system, causing blockages.

There are approximately 200,000 sewer blockages and pollution incidents throughout England and Wales every year, of which up to 75% are caused by fat, oils and grease. 

Clearing these blockages costs millions of pounds every year. Also, businesses risk blocking their own drainage systems, which can result in loss of income due to cleaning up costs. 

These fat blockages result in sewer flooding, odour problems and the risk of rat infestations near your premises.

Top tips to dispose of fats safely

Do:

• wipe and scrape plates, pans and utensils prior to washing (put the waste into the bin)
• collect waste oil in a suitable, secure container
• arrange for oil to be collected by an approved and licensed waste contractor
• use strainers in sink plug holes (empty the contents into the bin)
• maintain grease traps and enzyme dosing equipment regularly

Dont:

• put cooking oil, fat or grease down the sink
• pour waste oil, fat or grease down the sink 
• put food scrapings into the sink (put waste into the bin)
• sweep waste into floor drains (put waste into the bin)
• pour boiling hot water to try and dissolve fat and grease, it does not work

Food service establishments have a legal and moral responsibility to make sure local communities and the environment are protected. 

If a water company discovers that the wrong things are going down the drain, they can give a notice of recharge, to recover the costs for damaging the sewer and sometimes prosecute the person or company responsible. If you are prosecuted, you could face an unlimited fine or even imprisonment.

For further advice please read our Best management practice for catering establishments document.