"Can the Grease"

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The goal of the “Can the Grease” campaign is to limit the amount of fats, oils, and grease that make it down the drain and into the publicly owned sewer collection system. Following a few simple steps can help avoid clogged drains and costly plumbing repairs associated with improper disposal of fats, oils, and grease. Hot water and chemicals are not the solution to keep these substances from causing problems. Hot water and chemicals only push the problem a little further down the plumbing. Liquids containing fats, oils, or grease should never be poured down the drain. This includes cooking oils, salad dressings, greases released from food during cooking, butter, and margarines; to dispose of these items, they should be scraped from plates and wiped with a paper towel, then disposed of as solid waste in the trash can. Limiting the amount of food put down a garbage disposal helps avoid the fats, oils, and grease contained in this ground-up food, which is bad for plumbing. 


Grease that is poured down the drain accumulates in private plumbing and within sewer lines and may eventually form a complete blockage. When this occurs, wastewater can overflow from manholes onto streets and yards. When the flow of wastewater is interrupted due to a blockage, sewage can back up into homes, causing messy water damage and expensive cleanup.

You can help prevent the buildup of grease in sewer lines and within the plumbing of your own home. Dispose of all cooking grease in the trash instead of pouring it down the drain. Please follow this four-step method:

  • POUR IT : Pour all grease into an empty can (let grease cool; hot grease can cause a serious burn).
  • CAP IT : Cover the can with a “Can the Grease” reusable lid. The lid is designed to fit varying sizes of cans.
  • COOL IT : Store the covered can in your refrigerator or freezer.
  • TRASH IT : Remove the “Can the Grease” lid and throw away the can when full of grease.

You may wish to secure the grease in the can with plastic wrap and a rubber band when you trash it to keep the grease from leaking into the garbage can. The “Can the Grease” lid is dishwasher safe and can be used over and over again.

It’s that simple to keep our sewer lines and your home’s plumbing free of costly grease blockages. Your efforts will also help to protect the environment by helping to prevent the polluting effects of sanitary sewer overflows.

REQUEST A LID
If you would like to request a “Can the Grease” lid and a brochure about the campaign, please send an email to h2Oadmin@johnsoncitytn.org. Include your name and mailing address in the email. Recipients of the free lid and brochure must be current City of Johnson City Water & Sewer Services customers. A lid and brochure may also be picked up where you pay your water bill at City Hall.