Fats, oils and grease
Prevent costly blockages on your premises and in your local area. Learn how to dispose of FOG properly.
FOG stands for fats, oils and grease and originate from food products such as butter, lard, vegetable oils, animal fats, meats, sauces and dairy products. They are generated during the preparation of food and from any cleaning/washing up processes.
FOG usually comes from kitchens of Food Service Establishments (FSEs) where food is prepared, cooked or served. These include restaurants, takeaways, pubs which serve cooked food, cafés, coffee shops, hotels, B&Bs, convenience stores and supermarkets, garage forecourt shops with delicatessen counters, food production kitchens etc.
Blockages from FOG can result in raw sewage overflowing from sewers into business premises, public areas, streams or rivers causing an environmental and public health hazard.
Apply for a Fats, Oils & Grease Licence
Disposing of FOG
The do's
Follow our checklist and protect your drains from fats, oils and grease.
Wipe and scrape away waste
Wipe and scrape plates, pans and utensils into a suitable bin before washing
Collect all used cooking oil
Collect the oil into a suitable container and arrange for its collection by an appropriately authorised collector
Use strainers
Make sure to use a strainer in sink plug holes, then empty into a suitable bin
Mop up grease spills
Kitchen towel can be used to mop up grease spills and then put in an appropriate bin
Maintain grease trapping equipment
Make sure your grease trapping equipment is properly maintained by kitchen staff/authorised contractors and maintenance details are recorded
Use dedicated wash-up sinks
It's best to clean all equipment in a dedicated wash-up sink
The don't
You should also be aware of what not to do when disposing of fats, oils and grease.
Don't pour FOG down the sink
Fats, oils or grease shouldn't be put down the sink as they may cause issues when they harden
Don’t put scrapings into the sink
Food scrapings should be put into the bin rather than placed in the sink
Don’t use harmful chemicals
You should never pour harmful chemicals down the sink or drain to try and dissolve fats, oils or grease
Don't pour FOG down the floor drain
Pouring fats, oils or grease down your floor drain may also cause issues when they harden
Don’t use a single sink
Clean equipment in a separate sink to the one designated for food preparation
Don’t sweep waste into floor drains
Kitchen waste should be colllected and put in the bin rather than swept into the drain