Table of Contents
Can I pour grease down the garbage disposal in Atlanta?
Never grease cools, hardens, and violates Code § 154 297.03. Atlanta’s Watershed reports that grease causes ≈ 75 % of sewer blockages and forced the city to spend $4 million replacing ruined centrifuges in a single year, so the fine is only part of the cost curve that eventually reaches every ratepayer.
How do restaurants get rid of grease legally?
Yellow grease is collected in sealed bins; brown grease is pumped to licensed processors. Because Georgia Rule 391 3 6 .24 now requires haulers to file quarterly tonnage reports, your signed manifest doubles as insurance during an environmental audit.
How often must I clean a grease trap?
Indoor traps: every 14 days; outdoor interceptors: every 90 days or sooner if 25 % full. Under § 154 297.03, failure can also trigger up to six months’ jail time in addition to the $1,000 civil penalty an enforcement tool Atlanta used in three cases last year.
Is used cooking oil worth money?
USDA lists June 2025 yellow grease at 38 to 41 ¢/lb. Industry analysts note that Georgia spot prices swing 25 % through the year, so locking a quarterly index clause into your contract protects margins when commodity markets soften.
What fines hit if I skip service?
City fines reach $1,000; state penalties can hit $50,000/day. EPD inspectors say they increasingly add “cost recovery” for sewer backups, billing the offender for labor and vacuum truck time on top of statutory fines.
Which laws govern grease in Georgia?
Federal 100 mg/L limit plus state and local rules apply. EPA guidance shows most publicly owned treatment works nationwide have adopted the 100 mg/L ceiling because it is “achievable with good housekeeping,” making Atlanta’s standard mainstream rather than extreme.
Are enzyme or bacterial additives allowed?
No Atlanta bans them as bypass devices. Georgia’s FOG program echoes that stance, warning that additives simply shift pollution downstream and expose operators to transporter penalties.
How should I store used oil between pickups?
Keep oil in labeled, sealed containers with secondary containment. EPD’s Used Oil brochure clarifies that the label must read “Used Oil” not “Waste Oil” to stay in compliance with RCRA exempt recycling rules.
Who buys used cooking oil in Atlanta?
Grease Connections leads the market; others include national brokers. A 2024 theft wave four suspects arrested after siphoning thousands of gallons has many chefs demanding locked lids and GPS tagged bins from their buyers.
What happens to oil after pickup?
Yellow grease becomes biodiesel; brown grease powers digesters. Lab studies show anaerobic digestion of brown grease can yield up to 700 mL of methane per gram of volatile solids, outperforming food waste alone.
What size grease trap do I need?
Atlanta often applies a 2 gallon per seat formula. The city’s 2025 design guide also requires two 1,500 gallon interceptors in series for any kitchen exceeding 300 seats, so plan slab space early in the build out process.
What exactly is the 25 % rule?
Pump when grease + solids hit one quarter capacity. Inspectors verify the percentage with a transparent “sludge judge,” and they will photograph readings for your digital file so optimistic guesses won’t pass anymore.
Yellow vs. brown grease what’s the difference?
Yellow grease is fryer oil; brown grease is trap sludge. Research shows brown grease contains long chain fatty acids that inhibit methanogens unless co digested, explaining its lower market value.
Can I compost used cooking oil?
Not in bulk oils stall compost biology. Georgia’s compost rule requires a Class II permit for any off site food waste that includes fats, so backyard or community piles are off limits for restaurant volumes.
How do I filter fryer oil for reuse?
Cool to 150 °F and pass through 100 micron filters. Operators who install continuous microfiltration systems report extending oil life by up to 30 %, shaving thousands off annual food cost budgets.
Do food trucks need grease management plans?
Yes trucks must empty onboard grease at a commissary trap. The Georgia Food Service Design Manual states that failure to produce manifests at inspection can ground the truck until compliance is proven.
How much does trap pumping cost?
Typical Atlanta prices: $175 to $600 per service. Regional plumbers note that after hours emergencies on holidays can exceed $1,800, so preventive scheduling pays.
Which documents must I keep?
Maintain manifests, logs, and permits three years. Atlanta inspectors now accept PDFs, but they will issue citations if your digital files aren’t instantly retrievable during a spot check.
How do I prevent grease fires?
Keep Class K extinguishers within 30 ft and cover vats. NFPA data show deep fryers are involved in 21 % of all restaurant fires, eclipsing ranges and grills as the top ignition source.
Are biodiesel tax credits available?
Yes $1/gal blender’s credit can boost payouts. Lifecycle studies credit biodiesel with up to 78 % CO₂ reduction versus diesel, explaining why policymakers continue to subsidize the fuel.
How do households dispose of grease?
Freeze and trash small amounts or drop at CHaRM. Live Thrive’s facility accepts up to five gallons per visit on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays by appointment.
Do I need both indoor and outdoor traps?
Busy fry kitchens often do. Atlanta Plan Review sheets warn that omitting the hydromechanical indoor unit can void Certificate of Occupancy sign off, delaying grand openings.
Are there rebates for trap upgrades?
GEFA’s Clean Water loans can fund interceptors. Projects can borrow at below market rates (2 to 3 %) with terms up to 20 years, easing cash flow for retrofits in older buildings.
Can smart sensors replace pumping?
No sensors only alert you to 25 % fill levels. Market reports predict a 9 % CAGR for smart trap monitors through 2029 as restaurants pair alerts with scheduled service to avoid fees.
How do I get an Atlanta grease trap permit?
File drawings, pay $300, pass inspection. Site Development now issues e permits within 10 business days if plans include a compliant Grease Management Plan, shaving weeks off traditional paper workflows.
How long can I store used oil?
No strict state limit if containers are sound. EPD still recommends monthly pickups because oxidation after 30 days degrades free fatty acid scores, lowering resale value.
What’s my carbon footprint reduction?
Each recycled gallon offsets ≈ 19 lbs CO₂. That means a 1,500 gal/year restaurant matches the annual sequestration of ≈ 420 mature trees, a fact many owners now feature on sustainability reports.
What if my grease bin overflows or is vandalized?
Contain, clean, and log the spill immediately. Grease theft incidents rose 24 % in metro Atlanta during 2024, so insurers increasingly require locking lids and perimeter cameras.
How do I train staff on grease?
Use a “cool, contain, recycle” protocol with quarterly refreshers. Restaurants that tie compliance to performance reviews cut plumbing calls by 40 % within a year, according to regional service data.
Can I mix animal fats with veggie oil?
Yes if water stays below 2 %. Renderers dock payouts for moisture or dairy solids because contaminants raise hydrogen sulfide formation during biodiesel processing, trimming margins.
