Did you know a range of foods – in addition to grease – cause problems for our sewer system? Many people are unaware that oils and fats, such as dairy, also contribute to sewer clogs.
What Can’t Go Down the Drain
Most of us know bacon grease doesn’t go down the drain, but did you know that there are lots of other foods that can clog pipes?
- FATS – dairy products, margarine, shortening, gravy
- OILS – cooking oils (olive, coconut, canola, vegetable, peanut, etc.), salad dressing, mayonnaise
- GREASE – animal fats left over from cooking meats (bacon grease, pan drippings, etc.).
Why are fats, oils and grease (FOG) a problem?
There are three main issues with fats, oils and grease entering the wastewater system:
- They clog the system by blocking pipes, binding screens and damaging pipes causing sewer backups, overflows & odour problems and upsets of the treatment plant.
- They can deplete oxygen in receiving waters, if they make it though treatment plants.
- Additional energy and treatment capacity is required to break down FOG entering the system increasing costs to operate the sewer system.
Save your pipes (and your sewers): put grease in your green bin, not down the drain.
Dropping things off at a recycling depot? Add grease to your regular list. You can bring large volumes of fats, oils and grease to the depots below. Pour grease into a sealed container – ideally with a twist lid – and place in designated area at the depot.
Net Zero Waste – 5050 Gladwin Rd, Abbotsford, BC 604-557-7065
Mission Landfill – 32000 Dewdney Trunk Road, Mission, BC 604-826-900
Surrey Recycling & Waste Centre – 9770 192 St, Surrey, BC V4N 4C6
Burnaby Eco-Centre – 4855 Still Creek Ave , Burnaby
Richmond Recycling Depot – 5555 Lynas Lane , Richmond 604-276-4010
Ridge Meadows Recycling Society – 10092 236th St , Maple Ridge 604-463-5545
North Shore Recycling and Waste Centre – 30 Riverside Drive, North Vancouver 604-681-5600
United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre – 995 United Boulevard, Coquitlam 604-681-5600
Vancouver Landfill – 5400 72 St, Delta 604-873-7000
Vancouver Zero Waste Centre – 8588 Yukon Street, Vancouver
