Grease Disposal Tips To Help
the City's Environment

New York City needs the help of all of its residents to keep our sewer system running properly. Liquefied fat, oil, or grease (FOG) that is poured down the kitchen sink drain can cause serious impacts. FOG can cling to the insides of pipes and the sewer system. Over time, it can build up and can eventually block pipes completely. If wastewater can’t move freely through pipes and out into the sewer system, it can back up into your home and can cause unsanitary conditions and damages that can be expensive to repair. By following the guidelines below, you can help avoid repeated repairs and unnecessary disruptions to residences and businesses.

Properly Dispose of Cooking Oil & Grease

Cooking oil and grease are wastes that the City’s sewer system cannot handle and should not be discarded down the drain. Dumping grease, fats, and oil can clog sewer lines, causing sewage back-ups and flooding. Sewage back-ups can damage personal and public property. Here’s how you can help.

	DO NOT dump cooking oil, poultry fat and grease into the kitchen sink or the toilet bowl. DO NOT use hot water and soap to wash grease down the drain, because it will cool and harden in your pipes or in the sewer down the line.
	DO place cooled cooking oil, poultry and meat fats in sealed non-recyclable containers and discard with your regular garbage. DO use paper towels to wipe residual grease or oil off of dishes, pots and pans prior to washing them.

Recycle Used Motor Oil

When poured down house or storm drains, used motor oil may travel to your local stream, bay, or harbor, where it can harm underwater vegetation and aquatic life. Service stations are required by State law to accept up to 5 gallons of used motor oil per person, per day, at no charge. Remember not to mix your motor oil with any other substance.

	DO NOT dump used motor oil into street or house drains.
	DO put used motor oil in a sturdy container, such as a plastic milk jug, and take it to your local service station for recycling.

Contact Us

For more information on disposal of motor oil and residential or commercial grease, or to report illegal dumping into street storm drains, call:

Write to DEP at:

NYC Department of Environmental Protection

59-17 Junction Boulevard

Flushing, New York 11373

The following brochure, Grease Disposal Tips to Help the City’s Environment, informs residents on how to properly dispose of used cooking oil and how to recycle used motor oil:

English (PDF)

Spanish (PDF)

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Korean (PDF)