Wastewater Division

FOG (Fats, Oils, Grease) Program

WHAT IS FOG?

FOG stands for fats, oils, and grease.

Animal and vegetable-based oil and grease (polar fats), which are commonly found in food ingredients such as meat, fish, butter, cooking oil, mayonnaise, gravies, sauces and food scraps.

Common FOG sources are cooking oils, meat fats, sauces & gravies, shortening & lard, butter & margarine, salad dressing, mayonnaise, dairy products, and food scraps.

PROBLEMATIC AFFECTS FROM FOG

Fats, oils, and grease can get into sewer pipes from dishwashers, garbage disposals, washing pots and pans and from being poured directly down the drain.  When fats, oils and grease enter the sewer system, the substances build up along the pipes, which can cause sewage backups and overflows, as well as extensive building and property damage.

PREVENTION

To prevent FOG, dispose of your leftover cooking oils, fats, and greases properly. A little bit of grease from plates and cooking utensils can’t be avoided, but you can reduce the amount of grease going into your sewer pipes by following these simple guidelines:

• Never pour oil or grease down the drain.
• Scrape grease into a disposable container and put it in the garbage (hint: freezing will make it mostly solid).
• After scraping, wipe out pans with a paper towel to remove the last of the grease and put the paper towel in the garbage.
• Scrape plates and put greasy food scraps in the garbage instead of running them down the garbage disposal.
• Throw coffee grounds into your compost or the kitchen trash.
• Keep strainers in your sink to catch solids before they go down the drain.

 FOG DISPOSAL

• Used fats and grease can be placed in the garbage after it is solidified with diatomaceous earth, kitty litter, oil absorbent, dirt, or sand inside of a bucket.
• Liquid cooking oil generated by households is accepted during the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off event.