Fats, Oils, and Greases (FOG) Can Flood Your Home!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Maylynne Wilbert, 636-4349, Maylynne.Wilbert@memphistn.gov

Memphis, TN (December 2022) – Fats, Oils, Grease (FOG) CAN FLOOD YOUR HOME. The City of Memphis Storm Water Department encourages everyone to properly dispose of fats, oils, and greases. When poured down a sink drain, fats, oils, and greases cling to pipes beneath your house and in the City’s sanitary sewer system. This can cause sewage to backup into your home. Clogged pipes can become a health hazard by causing sewage overflows, which can discharge into the neighborhood and waterbodies.
It is a violation of City Ordinance 4538 to improperly dispose of fats, oils, and grease into the storm water drainage system (storm drains, drainage ditches, etc.). When disposed of in this manner, fats, oils, and greases can discharge into and pollute our surrounding lakes, rivers, and streams- posing a threat to fish and other aquatic life.

You can help prevent sewer backups and storm water pollution caused by fats, oils, and grease by:

Reusing cooking oil when possible.

Disposing the oil in a sealable container and placing it with your other garbage. Did you know that the City will provide you with a free sealable can cover to help you safely dispose of your fats, oils, and greases? Call 901-636-8188 to can the grease!

Disposing large quantities of oil, such as when deep-frying a turkey, to the Memphis and Shelby County Household Hazardous Waste facility located at 6305 Haley Road.

PLEASE! BE PROUD OF YOUR CITY. HELP KEEP OUR WATERWAYS CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL.

For more information about grease disposal, call 636-8118 or to report sanitary overflows call 636-8025. To learn more about the City’s Storm Water Department call 636-4349.