Smart Holiday Cooks Keep Grease Out of the Sink. Tips to Keep Your Holiday Flowing

Keeping cooking greases out of the kitchen sink can prevent clogged sewer pipes and expensive repairs

Cooking a turkey? Love gravy? This holiday season, and every day of the year, help keep Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) out of the public sewer system.

When grease is washed down the sink it cools and sticks to the insides of sewer pipes. Over time, the build-up can block pipes completely. Avoid this by never pouring fats, oils or grease down the sink or toilet. The result may save you from expensive repairs to fix a clogged sewer pipe or a raw sewage backup.

Freeze the Grease, Save the Drain

Put your grease in a container, let it harden, then dispose of it in your garbage can. If you have children or pets and hot grease may be dangerous, freeze the grease in the freezer and then toss in the garbage.

Cautionary tip: Garbage disposals don't help with oil and grease. Products such as detergents that claim to dissolve grease may pass it down the line and cause problems elsewhere.

Free Grease Kit

This do-it-yourself kit includes a grease scraper and a plastic lid that fits multiple-sized metal cans. Instructions in English and Spanish. Call 503-618-2100 to have a grease kit mailed while supplies last.

Common Greases

• meat fats
• gravy
• cooking oil
• shortening
• sauces
• salad dressings
• mayonnaise
• dairy products

How to Dispose of Grease at Home

• Never pour grease down sinks or toilet
• Pour grease and oil into a can and freeze, then toss in the trash
• Scrape food scraps into a can or the trash
• Catch food scraps with baskets or strainers in sink drains
• Throw food scraps in the garbage
• Remind family and friends about keeping grease out of the drain

Recycling Deep-Fried Turkey Oil

Gresham haulers do not collect vegetable oil at the curb, however there are recycling options for vegetable oil. Visit Metro's Find A Recycler. Enter your address then select vegetable oil (near the bottom), and the program will list recyclers closest to you that accept vegetable oil.

• Remember to place oil in a rigid plastic container and seal with a screw lid top.
• Remember to never pour oil down the kitchen sink or toilet as it could lead to clogged sewer lines.

Tips for Building Owners and Restaurants

• Recycle grease and oil
• Don’t pour grease and oil into sinks
• Don’t pour grease into floor drains
• Use a grease trap or interceptor that is installed correctly
• Never put solids into grease traps
• Check grease traps and interceptors often
• FOG Program for businesses

More Info?

For more information contact Diana Lindoff at 503-618-2552 or Diana.Lindoff@GreshamOregon.gov.