Fats, oils, and grease (FOG), are frequently produced during home cooking and seem harmless when they’re liquid. But they harden when poured down the drain and can seriously clog pipes and sewers, necessitating expensive repairs as well as problems for the environment. Metro Vancouver draws attention to the hazards associated with FOG buildup, which can result in destructive sewage backups and fatberg formations.
Let’s explore the significance of this and how each individual may help create a healthier home.
- Wipe instead of Pouring
Use paper towels to remove oil and grease off dishes, cookware, and utensils rather than pouring them down the sink. Instead of blocking your pipes, dispose of the soiled towels in your compost or green bin, where the organic material will break down.
- Use the Green Bin
Put fats that are solid or semi-solid, such as bacon grease and butter, straight into your green trash can. This helps in composting as green bins are made for organic trash.
- Dispose Bigger Quantities Accurately
Bring any leftover cooking oil—especially from deep-frying—to your neighborhood recycling facility so it can be converted into eco-friendly goods like biodiesel. This safeguards your pipes and aids in sustainable waste management. Use sites such as Recyclepedia to locate local depots that will take used cooking oil.
- Don’t Flush Grease with Hot Water
It’s a common misconception that oil may be flushed down pipes by using dish soap and hot water. Blockages result from the grease’s inevitable solidification farther down, even if it may melt temporarily. Wipe the oil off or throw it away instead of flushing it away.
- Environmental Benefits
Cleaning dishes on a regular basis and appropriately discarding grease can save waste plants from expensive plumbing repairs. Safe FOG disposal ensures better water quality and a healthier environment for all by reducing water pollution and supporting the upkeep of neighboring ecosystems.
The Bottom Line: An Appeal to Homeowners and Tenants
For tenants and homeowners hoping to avoid expensive plumbing repairs and clogged pipes, it is imperative to manage fats, oils, and grease (FOG). There are easy ways to improve the condition of your plumbing system, such as cleaning dishes before washing, putting organic waste in green bins, and transporting bigger amounts of oil to recycling depots. You make the neighborhood and environment healthier by disposing of FOG in an appropriate manner. Create sustainable behaviors now to safeguard both your house and the environment!