Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG)

The DeKalb County consent decree mandates that the County implement a Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Management Program. The leading cause of the sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) that prompted the audit of the County’s sanitary sewer system performed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the buildup of FOG in the sewer system’s pipes.

FOG is composed of animal and vegetable fats and oils used to prepare food.

FOG enters into the County’s sanitary sewer system through commercial and residential plumbing. FOG is commonly improperly discarded through the kitchen sink, garbage disposal, and toilets. FOG, food scraps, and used cooking oils should be thrown in the trash, not down the drain.

FOG is a by-product of cooking and comes from the following:

• Cooking Oils
• Sauces
• Animal meat
• Dairy products
• Animal fats
• Gravy
• Lard
• Sour cream
• Shortening
• Mayonnaise
• Butter and margarine
• Dressings
• Food scraps
• Marinades
• Baking goods