The holidays are nearly here, and many people celebrate by cooking hearty meals for their their families and friends.
While certain dishes are staples of holiday meals — including turkeys and hams — City Department of Utilities staff are reminding people that they can produce large amount of fats, oils or grease, which should never be poured down the drain.
“There are a lot of myths and urban legends that disposing of fats, oils or grease down the drain is alright, but the fact is they should never be poured down the sink,” said Jessica McCabe, an outreach specialist for the City’s Department of Utilities. “They can cause costly drain clogs in your sink and in City sewer systems.”
McCabe says people can follow a simple “recipe” to avoid a clogged holiday:
- Pour fat, oil and grease into a disposable container once it has cooled.
- Seal the disposable container.
- Throw away the container into a garbage bin.
“Hiring a plumber to unclog your drains is the last thing you want to think about during the holidays,” said McCabe.
City staff are also reminding people that cooked and raw food waste, such as turkey leftovers and vegetable peels, can be placed in a City organic waste bin.