The City of Garland Stormwater and Water Departments have teamed up to distribute funnels which can be used to collect used oil and grease in empty milk jugs or other containers.
The funnels are free, while supplies last, & are available at the City of Garland Engineering Department, 3rd Floor, 800 Main Street.
Many times, fats, oils and grease from meat, cooking oil lard, margarine and butter, or FOG are washed down the kitchen sink or dumped down the storm drain system. Improperly disposing of FOG can cause property damage, health hazards and environmental problems.
Pipes may be blocked by oils poured directly into the sink and as sewer pipes back up, sewage and food particles that build up can attract insects and other vermin. Health hazards could arise if raw sewage is exposed.
Property damage from sewage backups can result in expensive clean-ups and plumbing repairs. Clogged sewers can also lead to overflows, which can runoff into the street and into the storm drain system consequently polluting Garland creeks and streams.
Once oils pollute streams and creeks by forming a film on the water's surface, fish and other aquatic life often die.
How you can reduce the harmful effects of FOG:
Filter and freeze used cooking oil once it has cooled and reuse it for another meal.
Small amounts of cooking oil, such as meat drippings, can be soaked up with a paper towel and thrown in the trash.
After it has cooled, pour the used cooking oil into a sturdy closed-lid container, like a coffee can, and dispose of it in the trash.
Slowly mix in kitty litter until all the oil is absorbed and can be placed in a garbage bag.
Take it to the Dallas County Home Chemical Collection Center located at 11234 Plano Road. Call for hours of operation, 214-553-1765.
For more information or to report stormwater pollution, call the Stormwater Hotline at 972-205-2180.