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.

Solid fats / 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: Thorold, Welland,
West Lincoln


Liquid oil and grease
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: 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 our 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.

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.

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