Put FOG into trash, not down the drain

A black family serving themselves a meal from dishes in a kitchen

By Melissa Reeves

Are you getting ready for holiday dinners with your family, friends and community groups? As you’re putting together the menu or selecting your favorite dishes, please remember that the fats, oils and grease left over belong in the trash and not down the drain.

Fats, oils and grease (FOG) should never be poured down the sink or toilet. But what kind of foods have FOG? It’s more than you may think! FOG is found in:

  • Meat fats
  • Shortening
  • Baked goods
  • Butter and margarine
  • Sauces
  • Cooking oil
  • Food scraps
  • Dairy products

Why does it matter?

When fats, oils and grease are poured down the drain, they stick to the inside of sewer pipes where they cool and solidify, congealing and building up over time, restricting or clogging wastewater flow by creating fatbergs.

Fatbergs clog the sewer lines with FOG, layer upon layer of other items that should not be flushed (such as wet wipes). Fatbergs result in sewer blockages and overflows that can cause health hazards by harboring dangerous bacteria, including Listeria and E.coli.

Fatbergs also cause expensive property damage, hurt our infrastructure and threaten the environment.

So, what should you do?

SCRAPE grease solids directly into a lined trash can. 

POUR cooled grease into a sealable container. Remember: Store it, don’t pour it.

WIPE remaining grease and debris with a paper towel and throw it in the trash.

You can also recycle used or unused cooking oil, such as turkey fryer oil, at the Johnson County Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 11231 Mastin St., Overland Park. Drop-offs are by appointment only. Please visit jocogov.org/hhw to schedule an appointment.

Johnson County Wastewater is here to help. You can learn more at jocogov.org/fog and even request an expert to come to your neighborhood HOA, business or organization. We have a team of passionate public servants who are excited to share their knowledge with you, and help you protect your home or business and our community infrastructure. Visit jcw.org to learn more about the important work we do at JCW.

Melissa Reeves is community relations manager at Johnson County Wastewater.