Fats, oils and grease

The Environmental Protection Act 1990, section 34 places a duty of care to ensure that any waste that you produce is handled safely and within the law. Any waste from commercial premises is classified as controlled waste. You must be able to provide evidence of your trade waste contract, waste carrier licences and/or waste transfer notes for controlled waste including waste oil.

How to avoid blocked drains

Remove fat, oil and grease from equipment, plates and the floor before washing, by scraping with a disposable cloth, using brooms on the floor to sweep up debris, or using spatulas to scrape the inside and outside of pots and pans. All scrapings and cleaning materials must be disposed of in your controlled waste.

Consider using a grease trap - this allows water to pass through the trap, while fat, oil and grease floats to the top and can be collected and disposed of without entering the drains. The trap must be regularly maintained.

Storing oil

The oil storage area must be properly protected from leaks and spillages, and kept a suitable distance from drains, to avoid leakages into the drains. A secure container with a lid should be used to discourage vermin.