Fats, oils and grease (FOG) pose a major threat to our environment and waterways if not disposed of properly. When you rinse your used cooking oil and grease from your pan and down the kitchen sink it builds up in your home’s drain pipe and the city sewer line, making it difficult for wastewater to flow through it. Eventually the drain pipe will become completely blocked, which leads to sewer backups into your home, neighborhood streets, lawns and storm drains.
The bad news is that often times insurance companies do not cover this type of property damage, so you will be responsible for cleanup and home repairs. As well as any potential fines from your city or state. In addition, the environment suffers significantly when FOG makes its way into the soil and waterways. FOG can coat the feathers of ducks and other birds, making molting and flying a major problem. These contaminants also change the water balance of lakes, ponds and streams potentially leading to death and other issues for fish and other aquatic animals that rely on clean water for survival. Eventually the contamination in these waterways will then make its way into our oceans, causing even more damage to marine wildlife.
The good news, FOG buildup and environmental contamination is preventable.
Let’s delve into the top three myths about FOG disposal.
Myth 1: Wash grease with dish soap.
Fact: Even though dish soap breaks up grease as you wash your pan, it loses its effectiveness downstream, allowing for grease to solidify on pipe walls.
Myth 2: Running hot tap water will help grease float into the sewer pipe.
Fact: Running hot water does NOT help grease float through the sewer pipe because the water temperature eventually cools as it flows through the pipe and then the grease will become solid again.
Myth 3: Pour cooking oil at room temperature.
Fact: Cooking oil, such as olive and canola oil, float on the surface of the water and adhere to sewer pipes. It is best to avoid pouring oil down the drain altogether.
Here are common cooking items containing FOG that should never be put down your kitchen drain: meat fats, lard, cooking oil, shortening, butter/margarine, food scraps, baking goods, sauces, and dairy products.
Properly Disposing of FOG Just Got Easier—Grease Hero
Grease Hero is designed to be placed into the top of your kitchen drain, so you can quickly and easily pour the used cooking grease into it and then promptly dispose of it. You no longer need to store or freeze your used cooking oil and grease in your kitchen before disposing of it.
Grease Hero is designed with recyclable materials to absorb the FOG waste and can be thrown out with your regular garbage. This one easy change in your kitchen cleaning routine will save you money from costly plumbing repairs, the city from expensive sewer damage, and our environment from deadly contamination.
____
Join Our Mission to save the environment and properly dispose of Fats, Oils, and Grease.
