As families gather around for holiday feasts, filled with traditional dishes that tug at the heartstrings, the Oklahoma City Utilities Department is issuing a reminder for residents to handle kitchen waste responsibly. According to a recent report from the city's official website, the holiday cooking season witnesses a surge in fats, oils, and grease, known collectively as FOG, going down the drain, which could lead to unwelcome plumbing disasters.
The Department is encouraging locals to be proactive in preventing these clogs by properly disposing of FOG waste—advice that comes not a moment too soon as nearly 25% of sewer blockages in Oklahoma City's system are attributed to these greasy substances. Residents should be especially cautious as they clean up after their holiday meals, ensuring that turkey grease, cooking oil, and other forms of FOG find their way into the trash rather than the sink.
To combat common clog issues, April Kyle, Treatment Supervisor for the City’s Wastewater Quality Division, suggests a simple yet effective method: "Pour liquid FOG like turkey grease or cooking oil into a container, freeze it until solid, then throw it away." She further advised, in a statement on the city's website, that residents should also dispose of food scraps like meat trimmings, pie crusts, and vegetable peels in the trash and wipe FOG out from pots and pans before washing. Kyle added that even small amounts of FOG accumulated over time can affect plumbing and sewer systems.
The holiday season may be a peak time for FOG issues, but it's also an opportunity for citizens to refine their waste disposal habits. Common culprits like butter, gravy, and mayonnaise, and additional items such as carrot peels, pasta, and coffee grounds, should never go down the drain. For those dealing with larger amounts of grease or oil, such as that from turkey fryers, the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center at 1621 S Portland Ave is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. to take off your hands these potential blockage creators, providing an easy and environmentally friendly disposal option.
