What are FOG?

When Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) go down your sink or toilet, they build up in sewer pipes. FOG cause blockages, sewer overflows, environmental damage, and property damage.

FOG include: 

• Cooking oil, shortening, lard, butter, and margarine
• Gravy
• High-fat foods such as mayonnaise, salad dressings, and sour cream
• Meat fats in cooking and food scraps 

Dealing with FOG 

Do not: 

Pour FOG or put food scraps down the drain. 

Do: 

• Scrape or wipe your dishes into the garbage or compost before washing. 
• Put cooled oil and grease in containers, then dispose of them in the garbage. 
• Put food scraps in your organics cart, backyard compost, We Compost Community Hub, or garbage. 

The City’s approach to FOG 

We routinely inspect the sewer system to identify and clear FOG build-up. We inspect restaurants to make sure pretreatment devices, like grease traps and interceptors, are properly maintained and operated. 

Contact citypretreatment@cityofvancouver.us for more information.