Did you know that cooking grease is one of the major causes of residential sewer clogs resulting in sewer spills? Cooking grease coats pipelines much like fatty foods clog human arteries. The grease clings to the insides of the pipe, eventually causing blockage and potential sewer spills.

Following a few simple steps can help prevent costly sewer spills in the future.

• Never pour fats, oils or grease down the sink drain or garbage disposal. Home garbage disposals do not keep grease out of the plumbing system.
• Pour small amounts of cooking oil (including salad dressing, frying oil and bacon fat) into an old milk carton, frozen juice container, or other non-recyclable package and dispose of it in the garbage.
• Wipe dishes and pots that are coated with greasy leftovers with a disposable towel before washing or placing them in the dishwasher.
• Put strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps, such as meat trimmings and other solids, and then empty them into the trash or composting bin, not the garbage disposal.
• Plant trees and bushes away from your home's lateral connection to the sewer line to keep roots out of sewer pipelines.

The brochure linked below is a handy source of information on keeping cooking grease out of the drain and preventing plumbing clogs and sewer spills.

• How to Keep Cooking Grease Out of the Drain
• How to Keep Cooking Grease Out of the Drain [Spanish]
• How to Keep Cooking Grease Out of the Drain [Vietnamese]
• How to Keep Cooking Grease Out of the Drain [Chinese]

Cooking Oil Recycling

City of San Diego residents can now recycle their cooking oil and grease at the Miramar Recycling Center, where it is primarily recycled into biofuel. A cooking oil recycling bin is available for City residents to dispose of up to 30 gallons of cooking oil and grease. There is no charge for the service, but it is not open to commercial food preparation businesses.

Related Information

• Your Sewer Plumbing System
• Always "Flush Smart"
• Service Line Warranties (preferred service line warranty partner of the City of San Diego)
• Proper Disposal of Residential-Generated Medications and Pharmaceuticals (Environmental Services Department)