Feasting with family and friends is a huge part of the holidays for most of us, but cleaning up is a messy job.  All of the cooking oil and grease left behind can be a big “pain in the drain.”  In fact, Thanksgiving and the day after are known as the two busiest days for plumber house calls because of backed-up drains and pipes. 

The Clark County Water Reclamation District is urging all of us to not pour our used cooking oil and gunky grease down the drain into our pipes and out into the sewer system.  Julie Chadburn, with Water Reclamation, says you may not see the problems that can be caused once that fat, oil, grease and grit (or F.O.G.G., as it’s called) goes down the drain, but clogged sewer lines often happen because people don’t think about what they’re putting in the sink.  Their “Don’t Be a Pain in The Drain” campaign is trying to bring attention to how Southern Nevadans to can help prevent it.

That’s why the county is once again offering a used cooking oil & grease recycling program.  So if you’re thinking of doing that deep-fried turkey this year and don’t know what to do with all that peanut oil after you’re done - you can can pour if off into a container and take it to any one of the county’s recycling drop-off locations starting Nov. 27.  The oil actually gets turned into biofuel, which is used to run fleet vehicles like buses and trucks.  (Remember the RTC’s french fry bus that runs on cooking oil?  It’s the same thing.)  Their website gives the locations and hours.  Republic Services transfer stations will take used oil yearround.  Their stations stations are on the list, too.

Greasy gravy and meat scaps on plates should go into the trash can - not the sink!  For the normal weekly bacon or fish fry, that cooled congealed grease can be scraped off into a can lined with newspaper.  When the can is full, simply pull out the paper and throw it in the trash.  Then line the can again and start over.  You can even get cute little cans through the county program or use a coffee or veggie can from home.  So however you do it - just Can It! when it comes to greasy, oily gunk and your drain.  Your sink will be happy and so will your plumber because he’ll get to finish his turkey and his football game on Thanksgiving!

Tags: cooking oil, grease, Pain in the Drain

Categories: Recycling