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Grease Goes in the Garbage

Fats, Oils and Grease

Information for food service establishments and commercial kitchens:

Best Management Practices: Grease interceptors (gravity)  
Best Management Practices: Hydro-mechanical grease interceptors
Grease Trap Inspection Record (grease trap cleaning record)
City of Tacoma Grease Interceptor Policy  
Dr. Drain – Grease Goes in the Garbage flyer (for homes & businesses)
Reducing Wasted Food and Packaging: A Guide for Food Services and Restaurants (EPA toolkit)

At Home - Not Down the Drain; Grease Goes in the Garbage

Proper disposal of your cooking oil and other greases and fats may save you from a sewage backup in your home.  Grease clogs cause about 40 percent of sewer blockages in Tacoma.

These items contribute to blockages and backups:
  • Butter and margarine
  • Cooking oil
  • Food scraps with grease, butter or oil
  • Lard
  • Meat fat, grease and juices
  • Sauces that include grease, butter or oil
  • Shortening
Take these simple steps to stop clogs at home:
  • Pour cooking oils and grease in a container and dispose of it in the garbage.
  • Place meat and greasy food scraps in your brown food/yard waste container (or in the garbage if you don't have food/yard waste service), not down the garbage disposal.
  • Wipe pots and dishes with a used paper towel or napkin to remove grease.
  • Clean your garbage disposal with an earth-friendly recipe.
  • Most importantly: grease goes in the garbage, not in your sink.

Homeowners can dispose of up to 10 gallons of cooking oil at the Household Hazardous Waste facility. If you want to keep your container, Household Hazardous Waste staff will empty it for you immediately. Otherwise, they will recycle or dispose of the container for you.



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