North Texas Grease Abatement Council
The North Texas Grease Abatement Council is an educational partnership between the North Central Texas Council of Governments, municipalities, and water utilities in the North Texas region. The group educates the public of problems associated with fats, cooking oils, and grease that can cause property damage, health hazards, and environmental problems. The cities and agencies currently involved with this project include: Arlington, Bedford, Dallas, Denton, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Irving, North Richland Hills, Southlake, and the Trinity River Authority.
The Problem
Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) come from meats, butters and margarine, lard, food scraps, sauces, salad dressings, dairy products, and cooking oil. When FOG goes down the drain, it hardens and causes sewer pipes to clog. This can lead to a Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) where raw sewage actually backs up into your home, lawn, neighborhood, and streets. Not only does this nasty mess cause health issues, it also can run into a nearby stream or river which affects our drinking water. If your pipes become clogged from putting FOG down the drain, it can be very expensive problem to fix. To avoid household, environmental damage, as well as a costly bill, NEVER put FOG down the drain!
How to Properly Dispose of Fats, Oils, and Grease
When you have finished cooking, collect liquid grease and oils in a sealable container that you can take to your local drop off location to be recycled. Many of these locations will provide you with a new container you can use. [Find Locations] For the grease that cannot be poured into the container, you should wipe pans clean with a paper towel and put it in the trash. Food scraps should also go in the trash. Scrape off excess food from pots, pans, and plates before rinsing them in the sink with cold water.
Do put oil and grease in covered collection containers.
Do scrape food scraps from dishes into trash cans and garbage bags and dispose of properly. Avoid using the garbage disposal.
Do remove oil and grease from dishes, pans, fryers, and griddles. Cool first before you skim, scrape, or wipe off excess grease.
Don't pour oil and grease down the drain.
Don't put food scraps down the drain.
Don't rinse off oil and grease with hot water.
