PALMDALE – As family and friends gather together to celebrate Thanksgiving, the city of Palmdale is reminding residents to keep FOG —fats, oils and grease— out of household sinks and drains.
“[FOG] includes items such as meat drippings, juices and fats, cooking oils, salad dressings, sandwich spreads and the like that are dumped in the kitchen sink,”stated Palmdale’s Utilities Services Manager Gordon Phair. “With many more people deep frying their turkeys it could potentially make sewer overflows an issue if people don’t properly dispose of the used oil.”
According to Phair, the best way to dispose of used oil is to bring it to the Antelope Valley Environmental Collection Center (AVECC) on the first and third Saturday of every month.
“Damage to both the environment and property can occur from dumping FOG items down the sink,” Phair added.
The City of Palmdale recommends the following tips for handling FOG materials:
- Never pour fats, oils and grease down the sink or garbage disposal.
- Pour fats, oils and grease after they have cooled into a sturdy container, such as an empty glass jar or coffee can. Once the container is full, close the lid securely and place it in the trash.
- Prior to washing, scrape and dry wipe pots, pans and dishes with paper towels and dispose of those materials in the trash.
- Use sink strainers to catch food items, and empty the strainer into the trash.
- To recycle large amounts of leftover oil from deep-frying a turkey, contact the Antelope Valley Environmental Collection Center (AVECC) at 1-888-CLEAN LA.
“Everyone plays an important role in preventing neighborhood sewer blockages,” Phair said.
For additional options for used cooking oil, call 1-888-CLEAN LA (1-888-253-2652.)
(Information via press release from the city of Palmdale.)
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Philip says
I guess I’ll have to put off the sponge bath for my old lady… sigh.