Animal Fat and Oil Recycling for Restaurants Basics

Stay on top of regulations by learning animal fat and oil recycling for restaurants basics

Knowing important animal fat and oil recycling for restaurants basics can save restaurant owners time and money. People use the word grease interchangeably with fats and oils, all of which are animal byproducts used in cooking. The improper disposal of animal fats and oils can damage sewage systems, resulting in large fines for commercial kitchens.

With new technology in alternative fuels, recycling animal fat and oil can be a profitable venture for restaurants. Recycling grease is also an environmentally friendly option for restaurants rather than sending the discarded grease to a landfill. Without knowing the right terminology, restaurant owners may struggle to find the proper recycling equipment and services. When learning animal fat and oil recycling for restaurants basics, consider the following.

1. Learn information frequently used in restaurant fat recycling.

2. Know that rendering is an important animal fat and oil recycling for restaurants key term.

3. Read about the advantages of grease traps and grease recovery devices.

 

Know what FOG means in relation to restaurant oil recycling

FOG is an acronym for fats, oils and greases. Oil and grease are byproducts of animal fat, and the acronym FOG often describes animal fat and oil recycling equipment and services. Many municipalities offer a FOG program to help commercial restaurants properly recycle their animal fat and oils.
Try: Read more about FOG management practices at the City of Los Angeles Stormwater Program. Notice the list of foods that most commonly lead to FOG in the sewer systems. For tips on managing FOG, visit Food Service Warehouse.

Learn about the rendering process in restaurant oil disposal

Companies that offer restaurant fat recycling services are called rendering companies. Rendering is the process of turning discarded fats, oils and greases into useful products, including soap, paint, toothpaste, explosives, lubricants, varnishes and animal feeds. Many rendering companies provide restaurants with FOG storage containers and weekly pick-ups.
Try: Learn more about the rendering process by visiting the National Renderers Association. Read an article about rendering at California Green Solutions. The article discusses thieves who target restaurants that participate in fat recycling. National By-Products provides a step-by-step guide to what services a rendering company offers.

Review fat recycling equipment grease traps

Federal and local plumbing codes require commercial restaurants to use grease traps, also called grease interceptors. Grease traps are an important step in oil disposal for restaurants. These devices cool and catch FOG while allowing water to pass into the sewage system. A grease trap then contains the FOG until someone moves it into the recycling storage container.
Try: To see a photograph of a grease trap and learn more about how these devices work, visit Commercial Plumbing Supply. Read more about buying the correct grease trap and properly maintaining it at Natural Environmental Systems.

Recognize grease recovery devices as a useful fat recycling tool

Profitable animal fat recycling for restaurants can increase with the use of a grease recovery device. These devices continuously separate the FOG from water resulting in clean yellow grease rather than dirty brown grease. Biodiesel companies purchase yellow grease for the use in alternative fuels.
Try: PM Engineer offers a description of how a grease recovery device functions as well as a photograph of a unit. To see a photograph of an installed grease recovery system, visit Water Online.

 

• Large grease traps typically require a professional restaurant oil recycling company to regularly pump out and clean the traps.

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