Sink Drains

Keep Fats, Oils & Grease Out of the Drain

Your kitchen sink and garbage disposal may seem convenient, but what goes down the drain can create major problems for your plumbing, local sewer systems, and the environment.

Fats, oils, grease and food scraps can build up inside pipes over time – leading to clogs, sewer backups and costly repairs.

What Is FOG?

“FOG” stands for fats, oils and grease. These materials may go down the drain as liquids, but they cool, harden and stick to pipes as they move through plumbing and sewer systems.

Common sources of FOG include:

Cooking oil and grease
Butter, margarine and shortening
Sauces, dressings and dairy products
Meat fats and food scraps

Garbage disposals can make the problem worse by grinding food into smaller pieces that still collect inside pipes.

Why It Matters

Kitchen waste that enters the drain can:

Cause clogged pipes and sewer backups
Damage home plumbing and public sewer systems
Lead to expensive repairs and maintenance
Contribute to sewage overflows that pollute local waterways

These issues can be especially common in apartments, condos and densely populated neighborhoods.

Simple Ways to Prevent Clogs

Protect your pipes and waterways with a few easy habits.

Can the Grease

Pour used cooking grease into a heat-safe container, let it cool and solidify, then throw it in the trash.

Rethink the Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals don’t make food disappear – they simply break it into smaller pieces. Limiting disposal use can help reduce buildup in pipes and prevent plumbing problems over time.
When possible, compost food scraps or throw them in the trash instead.