Did you know that nearly 50 percent of all sewage overflows nationwide are caused by homeowners who improperly dispose of everyday fats, oils and grease (FOG)? FOG – a real enemy of our sewer system – is a substance that will build up over time when poured down your drain or garbage disposal and constricts the flow of wastewater. This can eventually cause sewer back-ups and overflows of raw sewage into our streams, rivers, bays and ocean.

To properly dispose of fats, oils and grease, follow these simple steps:

• Pour warm cooking oil or grease from the pan into a container that you can freeze.
• Scrape the grease out of the pan and wipe clean with a disposable paper towel.
• Store the container in the freezer and, when full, dump the container in the trash.
• Whenever possible, find creative ways to reuse or recycle properly stored FOG. One suggestion is to turn refrigerated FOG (now lard) into wild bird suet by mixing it with bird seed in the fall and winter.

By changing our habits one person at a time and one household at a time, we can substantially improve the health of our streams, rivers, bays and ocean in Sussex County.

For more information, please see Tips on How to Avoid Sewer Clogs from Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG).