Residential Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG)

What is FOG?

FOG, or fats, oils, and grease, can be found in :

• Baked goods
• Butter, lard, or shortening
• Cooking oil
• Food scraps including meat
• Sauces or salad dressing
• Dairy products such as milk or sour cream

Problems Caused by FOG

If poured down the drain, even with soap, hot water, and/or a garbage disposal, FOG will separate and cool, causing build up in pipes which may lead to: 

• Clogged toilets and drains in households
• Raw sewage back up into homes or around the home, resulting in expensive clean up and repair
• Health risks from exposure to untreated sewage
• Strong odors entering homes
• Sewage backup into businesses, parking lots, or the environment
• Higher sewer bills resulting from impacted sewage treatment processes at the wastewater treatment plant

Do's and Don'ts

Do

• Put cooled grease into a sturdy plastic container or reused can with a lid and place it in the trash
• Liquid oil can be mixed with kitty litter, paper towel, or coffee grounds before being thrown away
• Throw food scraps into the trash
• Use a paper towel to "dry wipe" food residue and FOG off dishes, pans, and silverware before washing
• Place a strainer in the sink to collect food particles

Don't

• Pour grease down the sink, garbage disposal, or toilet even when adding soap or hot water.  This will cause a backup further down the line
• Use harsh chemicals to try to unclog blocked drains
• Rinse grease off of kitchen utensils, dishes, or cookware into the sink
• Put all food scraps into a garbage disposal

Additional Resources

To request free brochures with this information to pass out in apartment complexes please contact the Pretreatment Inspector at [email protected] or 812-349-3934.

City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) has grease can lids, cooking pan scrapers, and oil disposal bags available at its office for CBU customers. The materials are free of charge.