Rich foods are an enjoyable part of any holiday celebration. But the fats, oils, and grease (FOGs) produced when cooking can create serious problems in our sewers.

When FOGs — like cooking oil, fat from meat, dairy, gravy, or peanut butter — are poured down any drain (sink, toilet, or otherwise), they harden inside pipes, restricting wastewater flow.

These blockages are a main cause of sewage backups, which can result in costly cleanup and repairs. This holiday season, give thanks to your pipes by properly disposing of FOGs:

• Cool It: Allow FOGs to cool to a safe handling temperature after cooking.
• Can It: Pour cooled FOGs into a sealable container, like a jar or can. Store the container in the refrigerator until it’s full.
• Trash It: Never put FOGs down the drain, even including sinks with a garbage disposal. Scrape food scraps into the compost or trash. Wipe up FOGs left on pans or dishes with a paper towel then discard in the trash. When your sealed FOG container is full, trash it.

Learn more on our Defend Your Drains page.