If you're one to fry up a storm during the holidays, take heed not to clog the city's arteries with more than just cholesterol. Arlington Water Utilities reminds residents–not through metaphor but with plain fact--that pouring fats, oils, and grease down the drain can solidify in pipes, causing blockages and backups, not to mention additional costs to both the city and you. According to a report by the City of Arlington, "When household pipes and city sewer systems can't handle these materials, it can lead to sewer overflows," a sanitation issue no one wishes to confront.
So instead of dumping that used cooking oil in the sink, be savvy and let it cool, then transfer it to a rigid plastic container. This simple act alone could greatly reduce the chances of clogged drains. The 12th Annual Holiday Grease Roundup should make this habit easy to adopt, running from Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, to Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, as reported by Arlington Water Utilities. This initiative gives you the option to safely dispose of your used grease at several convenient Arlington drop-off locations.
Available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., these drop-off sites, inclusive of Cravens Park and Vandergriff Park among others, are prepared to take in your cooking leftovers from that deep fryer. Residents with more than five gallons of used oil can even arrange for a home pickup during the roundup dates--a service made possible simply by calling Arlington Water Utilities.
