FAQs

What causes blocked pipes in commercial/industrial kitchens?

Fats, oils and greases (FOGs) are the main causes of blocked pipes in commercial kitchens. In kitchens, FOGs are the by-products of food preparation and washing up activity, therefore the main grease generators are pre-rinse and pot washing sinks. If these are not managed efficiently they can clog the pipes (regardless of the size) just like fats can build up in your body and cause a blockage in your arteries.

Not all drainage blockages are caused by Fats, Oils and Grease, how do I deal with solid waste?

The FilterShield ® is a low cost effective solution at dealing with solid waste. FilterShield ® uniquely protects the drainage system of Delis, Restaurant, Canteens and Commerical Kitchens by removing cleaning cloths, vegetable, fish and meat trimmings, rice, coffee grounds, fruit pulp, potato peelings and aerated starch, without energy consumption or having any moving parts.

Replacing the P trap on a sink, a pressure drop is achieved similar to the effect of a fountain, enabling separation and retention of solids and allowing water to drain away! A one off cost for a simple and effective solution to solid waste!

What are the common forms of treating grease?

The best option to capture these FOGs is a grease trap. the GreaseShield ® is an effective and efficient grease trap requiring no maintenance inside the machine and only the collection containers need to be cleaned daily.

The other choice for grease treatment is to use enzymes to ‘digest’ the FOGs. Enzymes are used in many convenience stores and fast food outlets however enzymes are an expensive solution to merely transfer the problem elsewhere maybe into local river or stream.

What is the GreaseShield ®? Why do I need one?

The GreaseShield ® is the best grease trap in the world. Quite simply, it dewaters food waste and removes fats, oils and grease from the wastewater into easy to remove and empty containers.

Without the GreaseShield ® in commercial kitchens, fats, oils and grease will cause blockages and foul odours if untreated, not to mention the pollution of local water resources.

What maintenance does the GreaseShield ® require?

The GreaseShield ® does not require any maintenance by staff inside the machine. The GreaseShield ® is self cleaning and only requires staff to empty the collection containers daily.

Technical engineers do recommend at least one service a year to ensure the best results.

Service maintenance contracts on all GreaseShield ® products are available for as little as €50 per month! The maintenance contracts are developed to save clients money on call out charges, general maintenance and parts of the unit. This service is to ensure that the GreaseShield ® is kept in fully operational order on a required basis, giving clients peace of mind!

What do we do with the grease collected from the GreaseShield ®?

Solid waste collected from the FilterShield ® and GreaseShield ® should go to compost. FOG’s collected from the GreaseShield ® should be stored in a secure bunded facility prior to being collected by authorised waste collectors with appropriate permits. The collection details including the amount of FOG’s being collected should be recorded in the form of a manifest record for audits by the relevant authorities.Environmental Products and Services also offer a collection service as part of our managed solutions package.

What do I have to do to comply with FOG discharge regulations?

Existing grease traps need to be adequately sized and conform to either the European, EN 1825 standard for external grease traps or the American PDI G101 standard for internal grease trap.

• A hydraulic flow computation needs to be provided to show that existing prevention means is adequately sized.
• A file has to be prepared showing all kitchen equipment going to drain, ideally with digital photographs. In case of new builds, an AutoCAD Schematic can be used.
• Evidence of Best Management Practices i.e. staff training for all kitchen staff to minimise the FOG entering the drainage system.
• Sampling points on each grease trap outlet is essential. Testing/sampling of the effluent will take place on a periodic basis to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the discharge trade effluent license.
• Daily maintenance log books are required to record the amount of FOG’s and Solids removed and the daily emptying and cleaning procedures been carried out.
• FOG’s collected from the GreaseShield ® should be stored in a secure bunded facility prior to being collected by authorised waste collectors with appropriate permits. The collection details including the amount of FOG’s being collected should be recorded in the form of a manifest record for audits by the relevant authorities.
• Fees- In the Dublin City Council area, food service establishments are required to submit a license application along with a fee of €380.00.
• Every Food Service Establishment (FSE’s) will be required to pay an annual fee to Dublin City Council. This fee will vary from €590.00 for canteens to €870.00 for Pubs, Restaurants and Supermarkets to €1630.00 for larger establishments. FSE may face significant additional costs arising from non compliance with effluent licensing parameters

Best Management Practices for a fat free kitchen

DO’s

• DO comply with FOG discharge regulations.
• DO train all kitchen staff in best management practices for grease disposal and the impacts of FOG.
• DO provide regular refresher training/ discussion for proper disposal of fats, oils and grease for all employees.
• DO post ‘NO GREASE’ signs near sinks and drains.
• DO scrape all food scraps and grease solids into the garbage.
• DO install sink filters and the FilterShield ® to prevent solid material from entering the sewer.
• DO install the GreaseShield ®, ‘the best grease trap in the world.’
• DO empty and clean collection containers daily.
• DO collect FOG in a separate container for recycling.
• DO collect solid waste for recycling.
• DO service your GreaseShield ® at least once a year
• DO clean up grease spills with absorbent material and put into dry trash.
• DO clean hood filters, floor mats, fry racks, etc. inside your kitchen.
• DO dispose of mop water and carpet shampoo wastewater into your mop sink
• DO call Environmental Products for our Compliance Ready Packages 028 3083 3081.

DON’Ts

• DON’T turn off the machine.
• DON’T rinse off food scraps and grease from plates, pots and pansusing hot water and flush down your kitchen drain.
• DON’T pour FOG (salad oils, butter, shortening, grease, cooking oil,soups) down your kitchen drains.
• DON’T wait for city inspectors to tell you to comply with regulations.
• DON’T use water to spray down grease spills into an outside drain.
• DON’T clean greasy equipment outside.
• DON’T dump mop water or carpet shampoo wastewater outside.
• DON’T let FOG become a hazard to your kitchen.