City of Tempe, AZ

Keep FOG out of the drain to prevent sewer backups and overflows. FOG can be found in food scraps, meat fats, lard, oil, butter, sauces, salad dressings and marinades, and dairy products. View the FOG education flyer. 

These best practices can help prevent FOG overflows in the home and street.

• Pour used cooking oil, bacon grease and other fat products into a disposable container, such as an empty coffee can or pasta sauce jar. Throw the container in the trash. 
• Before soaking a greasy pan, pour grease into a container and wipe the pan with disposable paper towels.
• If using a deep fryer, solidify the grease by mixing it with an absorbent, disposable material. Dispose of the grease-soaked material in the garbage.
• Before washing, scrape food debris from cookware, plates and utensils into the trash. Then, dry wipe with a paper towel to remove any residue. Throw the paper towel in the trash.
• Avoid using the garbage disposal whenever possible. Throw food debris in the trash.  
• Use strainers over drains in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room. Clean them frequently and dispose of everything that was caught into the trash.
• Do not use cleaning agents with degreasers. These degreasers temporarily break up the FOG, but the FOG rejoins into solids, causing a blockage further down the line. 

Tempe residents may request a FREE "Fat Trapper" to collect cooking grease. Contact the City of Tempe Environmental Services Section at 480-350-2678 for delivery of a fat trapper with disposable grease bags. 

The Household Products Collection Center can collect and recycle cooking oil that is dropped off during business hours.  

View a Fox 10 special on FOG prevention and the city's efforts to maintain sewer pipes.

Flush cautiously to prevent sewer blockages

The best practice to prevent sewer blockages is to only put water down the sink and flush only human waste and toilet paper. Avoid putting any of the following in a drain.

• Baby or facial wipes - even if labeled "flushable"
• Towelettes 
• Feminine products
• Facial tissues
• Cotton balls or pads
• Paper towels or napkins
• Diapers - even if labeled "flushable"
• Cotton swabs or Q-tips
• Prophylactics 
• Floss
• Hair
• Lint
• Mop refills (such as Swiffer)
• Medications
• Toilet bowl scrub pads
• Kitty litter - even if labeled "flushable"
• Cooking fat, oil or grease
• Ground food or any food particles 
• Dairy products

Many of these items also can be taken to the Household Product Collection Center (HPCC) to be recycled in lieu of throwing in the trash or down the drain. For the full list of what HPCC will accept, please visit the website.