Fats, oil and grease - food service establishments

Stop and think! Not down the sink!

When fats, oils and grease (FOG) go down the drain, they can cause a lot of problems for your food service establishments - clogged pipes, reduced plumbing flow, odours and even sewer backups. The results can cost you time, money and customers.

Watch this short video for tips on keeping FOG out of your wastewater system, avoiding blockages and potential fines as well as tips on maintaining your grease interceptor.

Reduce fats, oil and grease at home

Scraping food waste into a kitchen compost pail

Find out what you can do to keep your sewer pipes in good working order, by not putting the wrong things down the drain.

Grease interceptor requirements for food service establishments

Grease interceptors are an important pre-treatment system designed to be regularly maintained which will help in protecting your business. Our Wastewater Bylaw requires each food service establishment to install  a properly-sized grease interceptor in addition to maintaining documents of each cleaning or service. Grease interceptors allow the separation and removal of fats, oils and grease as well as some solids from the wastewater before it is discharged into the city wastewater system.

How to properly size your grease interceptor

How to clean and maintain your grease interceptor

E2228-Grease Interceptor Service Record

An example of a grease interceptor (grease trap)

An example of a grease interceptor

Tips to reduce FOG

Protect your business by keeping FOG out of the drain.

  • Wipe FOG from cooking equipment before washing

    Use a paper towel or spatula to wipe down cooking equipment before washing or soaking.

  • Scrape dishes before washing

    Excess fats, oils and grease from a dirty dish will eventually make its way down the drain. Scraping dishes before washing reduces the amount of FOG in your pipes.

  • Recycle used fryer oil

    Store used deep fryer oil (such as canola and sunflower) for recycling. Various third-parties will provide containers and pick up deep fryer oil and reuse it for other purposes.

    Click here for a list of local companies that will pick up this material for you

  • Don’t use additional agents to pass FOG through a grease interceptor

    Under the Wastewater bylaw, it is prohibited to use enzymes, bacteria, emulsifiers, solvents, hot water or any other agent in a grease interceptor. You can face a fine of $1000.

Tips to reduce FOG posters and handouts

Use these posters and handouts in your kitchen to remind employees of what actions they can take to reduce the pressure on your grease interceptor.

Reduce Fats, Oil and Grease Poster

Translated posters

Traditional Chinese

Simplified Chinese

Hindi

Punjabi

Vietnamese

How to Clean Fats, Oil and Grease Handout

Translated handouts

Traditional Chinese

Simplified Chinese

Hindi

Punjabi

Vietnamese

Waste disposal options for businesses who clean their own grease interceptors

FOG and solids should be placed in either your organics bin if permitted, or double-bagged in your garbage bin.

  • Contact your organics service provider before sorting the contents to determine if they will accept grease interceptor waste.
  • Grease interceptor contents cannot be disposed of into the wastewater system, stormwater system, or the environment.
  • Grease interceptor waste cannot be disposed of into used fryer oil bins.
  • Failure to properly dispose of your grease interceptor contents may result in a fine.

Food truck wastewater disposal

Take food truck wastewater to the following locations for disposal:

Food truck owners must also fill out a logbook that includes the date, time, location, approximate volume, and the name of the person making the disposal.

You must also be able to show the logbook if asked by an inspector or officer.

Food Truck Wastewater Disposal Logbook

Still have questions?

For other questions about commercial wastewater disposal, please contact 311.

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