Grease and oil don't belong in the drain!
Sewer backups are often caused by human habits, such as flushing wipes, hygiene products, or disposing of kitchen grease and leftovers down the drain. Damages to your home from a backup are expensive and can be very disruptive. The good news is these situations are preventable, we just need to change our habits!
Common kitchen greases and oils that should not go down the drain include:
- Cooking oils
- Spreads (butter, margarine, cream cheese, jam)
- Sauces (gravy, pasta sauce, cheese sauce, etc.)
- Food scraps, like bacon and leftover grease
- Condiments (ketchup, curry paste, salad dressings)
How to Properly Dispose of Kitchen Grease and Oils
Green Bin It – Cool it, wipe it, bin it
- Scrape leftover kitchen grease right into your compost bin before washing plates, pots and pans.
- Pour smaller amounts of grease and oil into a can, let it cool, then scrape it into your green bin.
- Kitchen grease and oil in larger amounts (up to 10 litres), from deep fryers or big recipes, can be stored in a container and dropped off at the Recycling Depot
- Leftover soups and sauces can be added to your green bin in manageable amounts, layered between other items that will help absorb it like used paper towels, napkins, peels, coffee grounds and compostable food containers.
- Use a strainer or basket in your drain to catch food scrapes and dispose of them in the green bin.
What Happens When Grease and Oil Are Poured Down the Drain?
When kitchen oils and grease go down the drain or toilet, they harden and over time, collect other materials, building blockages and clogging up the pipes of your home and beyond to the city sewer pipes. These blockages are expensive to both the homeowner and taxpayers, often requiring large cleanup and restorations to private property, city infrastructure and even wastewater treatment plants. Damage from a blocked city pipe can even impact the environment, wildlife habits in lakes, rivers and streams.
Clean and Clear Sewer Pipe
Grease Clogged Sewer Pipe
