It’s that time of year again when we tend to overindulge in holiday eating. And just as we worry about “clogging our arteries” with fatty foods, we should think twice about clogging our plumbing with kitchen grease.
Even after composting bones, skin, and kitchen scraps, we may think nothing of pouring excess grease into the sink before washing and loading the dishes. But no matter how quickly you flush grease down the drain with hot water, it is more damaging to your pipes than you might think. Fats, oils, and grease (fondly known as FOG in hazardous waste collection circles) don’t just disappear after going to the dark side, deep within your pipes. The liquid fat eventually cools, hardens, and accumulates in your sewer system, potentially causing blockage and overflow.
There’s actually a chemical process that occurs when fats, oils, and grease from your wastewater merge with everyone else’s wastewater. Fatty acids from that bacon grease hook up with calcium, commonly found in sewer water, and form impressive, stalactite-like compounds fondly known as “fatbergs.” Fatbergs grow over time, eventually wreaking havoc with your neighborhood sewer As you can imagine, plumbing in restaurants and old apartment buildings are at even higher risk. One especially famous fatberg in the British sewer system grew to 17 tons by the time it was removed! It is estimated that 47% of sewer overflows in the United States are attributable to FOG buildup. Furthermore, sewer overflow can reach groundwater, which can compromise drinking water. All in all, not a pretty picture.
Properly disposing of FOG is important year-round, not just around the holidays. Offending foods aren’t limited to standing grease from your pot roast but include things like butter, oil, sour cream, cheese, frosting, sauces, dips, mayonnaise, and salad dressing. Don’t wait until New Year’s to make a new and sustainable resolution. Whether preparing holiday or everyday foods, place fats and oils in an empty glass jar or tin can you’ve pulled out of your recyclable stockpile. Wipe down any leftover grease with a paper towel and then go ahead and suds up your pans.
If you inadvertently pour grease down your sink, you can boil some water and give that lard a chaser to move things along. You can also add vinegar and baking soda to the boiling water to break down fats and neutralize the stink factor. Meanwhile, your container of FOG will be coming to room temperature and solidifying so you can throw it out later. Better yet, collect these greasy treasures, especially those large vats of grease from your Thanksgiving turkey, and drop them off at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility at 4797 Imhoff Place, in the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District Complex. Hours for residents: Monday – Saturday, 9am – 4pm; (800) 646-1431.
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