Disposing of Fats, Cooking Oil and Grease
Don't pour fats, oil or grease down the drain or toilet. It clogs your pipes and our sewer system.
It's important residents use the correct disposal method for their fats, oil and grease.
| Material Type | Quantities | Disposal Method |
|---|---|---|
| Solid - lard - butter - bacon fat |
Any | Place in Green Bin for curbside collection - or - Bring to a drop-off facility: Niagara Falls, Thorold, Welland, West Lincoln |
| Material Type | Quantities | Disposal Method |
|---|---|---|
| Tiny amounts - frying pans
|
500 ml or less | Absorb with paper towel or newspaper, kitty litter, sawdust. Place in your Green Bin for curbside collection. |
| Small amounts - small deep fryers - salad dressings |
1 litre or less | Put in a container and freeze. Remove from container and place frozen grease in your Green Bin for curbside collection. |
| Large amounts - large deep fryers |
More than 1 litres |
Bring to a drop-off facility: Niagara Falls, Thorold, Welland, West Lincoln |
Effects of Fats, Oil and Grease on the Sewer System
Fats, oil and grease are present in many foods, including:
- Meat
- Salad dressing
- Butter
- Lard
- Shortening
- Dairy products
- Left over oil from a deep fryer
As these materials cool, they become solid, potentially clogging sewer pipes in your home and in the city/Region sewer pipes. These clogs can lead your sinks and toilet to stop draining correctly and eventually cause sewer backups in the floor, toilet and shower.
Blocked sewer lines can also contribute to the volume of combined sewer overflows throughout the region.
Protect Your Pipes: Don't Pour Fats, Oil or Grease Down Your Sink
Avoid Flushing Waste Down Toilets
The sewer system hooked up to your toilet is not designed to handle the disposal of garbage. Even products labelled "flushable" do not necessarily break down. Human waste and toilet paper are the only items that should ever be flushed. Learn more about acceptable items for your toilet.
Sewage Use By-law
Niagara Region and area municipalities monitor local sewer systems and enforce Niagara Region's Sewer Use By-law. This includes commercial and industrial discharges of fats, oil and grease into the system.
© Niagara Region - 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON, L2V 4T7 - Phone: 905-980-6000, Toll-free: 1-800-263-7215
