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Notify Me, Free email subscription about fats, oils, and grease disposal in charlotte, nc mecklenburg county water and sewer

grease clogs pipes

  Advice for
     Residential Customers,
     Multi-family / Apartments,
     Food Service Establishments, and
     Commercial Establishments

grease free logo


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  Toss leftover food in the trash, not down the drain.

  Check out what should never go down the
drain or be flushed down a toilet (pdf ):

remaining grease
   Leftover foods like the remains in frying pan or fatty meats.

butter
   Dairy products like butter and margarine, lard and shortening.

oil
   Olive oil, salad dressings, cooking oil, turkey fryers (deep
   fryers), and motor oil.

   Leftover cleaning supplies.

paper towels
   Paper products other than toilet paper.

medicine
   Prescription or over-the-counter drugs.

What is Grease?
Grease is the common term for animal fats and vegetable oils. Read More...

What causes grease blockages in my plumbing?
Leftover foods like any fats, oils, and grease from cooking being poured down a drain or toilet. These may be liquid when poured but can solidify to clog plumbing.

See below information for more tips:

Residential Customers should:

Request a FREE Grease Lid.
Recycle cooking oils and grease at the Mecklenburg County Recycling Centers. Or mix cooled oils / fats with an absorbent material, such as coffee grounds, and place in a lidded container and dispose of in a trash can.
Report sewage overflows by dialing 311 or 704-336-7600.
Report improper grease disposal or grease related concerns.
Learn about Mecklenburg County restaurant health inspections.

Food Service and Commercial Establishments (back to top)

Utilities conducts on-site inspections (VIDEO) at least once a year to more than 4,000 restaurants and food service establishments to protect public health. These establishments are required to have a grease trap installed and and a contract with grease hauler company.

In 2000, Utilities began inspecting food services to protect public health and eliminate grease caused spills from food service establishments. Utilities conducts on-site inspections at least once a year to more than 4,000 food service establishments.

All automotive repair operations, vehicle wash facilities and other washing activities are required to have an oil separator installed.

Food Service and Commercial Establishments and staff should:

Read and follow Commercial Facility Grease Removal Guidelines
Dispose of all fats, oils and greases in an approved recycling bin
Where appropriate, acquire and maintain proper oil and grease removal equipment
Educate staff on how to use removal equipment
Add Grease Free Posters for bulletin boards (available on request)
Report Improper Grease Disposal or Grease Related Concerns

Grease Trap Installation:

Grease Trap Policy
Grease Trap Interceptor
Food Guidelines.pdf
To request an installation inspection from Mecklenburg County.

Grease Haulers

Approved Haulers List
Sample Policy / Permit to be a Grease Hauler (available on request)
Hauling and Servicing Requirements and Application
Disposal Sites for Commercial Haulers
NCDENR Septage Management Information
Report Improper Grease Disposal or Grease Related Concerns

Restaurants that would like to clean their own grease interceptors must have a septage management firm permit

Restaurant Permit Application Guidelines
Restaurant Application Checklist
Restaurant Invoice
Restaurant Procedures to Clean a Point-of-Use Grease Interceptor
Additional information from NCDENR - Septage Management Program

Oil Water Separator Installation:

Oil Water Separator Policy Requirements
Approved Oil Separators 2009 (Chapter 1003.4), Approved Oil Separators 2009 (Chapter 1003.1)

More information on protecting water quality:

Mecklenburg County Water Quality Program
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
North Carolina Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance (DPPEA): The Green Plan for the Food Service Industry
City of Charlotte Code of Ordinances

If you have questions or would like to receive our brochure on the Oil and Grease Prevention Program, contact the system protection division at 704-336-4946.

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