City of Santa Barbara, CA

11/06/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 11/06/2025 17:55

This Holiday Season, Don't Clog with FOG

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This Holiday Season, Don't Clog with FOG

Authored on
November 6, 2025
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Pouring fats, oils, and grease (FOG) down the drain or garbage disposal creates pipe blockages over time (both on your property and under the streets). FOG buildup can clog an entire pipeline, causing sewer overflows that could result in costly repairs for you and the City.

This holiday season, dispose of fats, oils, and grease properly using these tips:

  • Do not pour cooking oil, greasy food, dairy products, or salad dressing down the drain.
  • Use strainers in the sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids.
  • Do not use hot water and soap to try to wash grease down the drain. It will eventually cool and harden in the sewer lines.
  • Pour cooled grease into a disposable container, cover with a tight-fitting lid and place in your freezer. Once contents are frozen, toss in the garbage.
  • Mix cooking oils with absorbent material such as coffee grounds or cat litter. Place in tight lidded container and dispose of it in garbage.
  • Wipe or scrape food particles from pots, pans, and dishes into the trash can prior to placing them in the sink for washing.
  • Wipe excess fats and grease from pans with a dry paper towel and toss it in the garbage.
City of Santa Barbara, CA published this content on November 06, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on November 06, 2025 at 23:55 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]