Fats, Oils, and Grease Clog Pipes
Leftover oil and grease from cooking? It doesn’t just disappear. When you rinse it down the drain, it hardens and sticks to pipes, building up over time. This causes sewage backups, expensive plumbing repairs, and pollution in Puget Sound.
Make a Pledge to Block Clogs! As the Seattle Sounders hit the field in the FIFA Club World Cup this June, please do your part in your kitchen. Team up with your neighbors to keep Fats, Oils, and Grease (also known as FOG) out of your drain.
Pledge here to Block FOG & enter to win a $50 gift card now - July 13
Your Drain. Our Goal. Block FOG.
Block FOG Pledge dashboard — click above to see who has pledged in your neighborhood!
We all need to do our part at the sink. Businesses, especially restaurants, have specific requirements to manage the fats, oils, and grease (FOG) produced onsite. Residents can help by blocking fats, oils, and grease from going down home drains.
Behind every drain, there’s a team keeping Seattle’s sewer system flowing. SPU field crews work around the clock to maintain our wastewater system. They are at the heart of it all—but they cannot do it alone. Watch our essential workers in action and learn how we can all do our part at home.
Disposing of Used Cooking Oil and Grease
What should I do with used cooking oil and grease?
The correct way to dispose of cooking oil and grease depends on the amount you have.
- Step 1: Let it cool.
- Step 2: Choose a disposal method:
- Small amounts of oil and grease can be wiped up by paper towels or newspaper and placed in the compost.
- Large amounts of oil and grease can be scraped into a container, covered with a lid, and placed in the garbage.
What foods can cause clogs?
- Bacon grease & meat drippings
- Butter, margarine, & cooking oils
- Gravy, sauces, soups, & fatty leftovers
- Dairy products like milk, cream, & cheese
- Oils that harden at cool temperatures, like olive oil and coconut oil
What about other food waste?
Food waste from garbage disposals can also clog pipes and cause sewer backups. Put food waste into your compost bin and use sink strainers to catch food waste during dish washing. Regularly empty the strainer and compost bin into your food and yard waste cart.
