Table of Contents
Why Rolling Kitchens Face a Grease Crisis
Atlanta food trucks produce the same fryer waste as brick and mortar kitchens but drag it down every pothole on I 285, where a spill means a $1,000 per day FOG fine under city code. In 2024 Cobb County traced a seven million gallon sewer spill to rogue grease; officials said “fatbergs” can start with a single food truck dump. Water crews warn the hardened oil blocks pipes faster than stationary restaurants because trucks often discharge at night when inspection is rare.
The upshot: mobile vendors must think like haz mat haulers even on a lunch rush.
Know the Rules Before You Roll
Fulton County now requires electronic grease log uploads every month and a $150 interceptor permit even for mobile units using shared kitchens. State Rule 391 3 6 .24 further regulates anyone transporting FOG off site; citations can hit $2,500 per load. Keep manifests in the truck cab; inspectors may request them at pop ups or festivals, not just commissaries.
Tip: laminate a QR code linking to your cloud folder health officers accept it as “readily available.”
Where to Pour, Not Pour Out
Atlanta offers fixed drop points that welcome small volumes when your onboard tote is full before shift end.
| Facility | Address | Max Load | Cost | Appointment? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHaRM Hill St. | 1110 Hill St SE ATL 30315 | 5 gal | Free | Yes | Email receipt doubles as manifest |
| PREP South | 1990 Perkerson Rd SW ATL 30310 | 55 to 300 gal | Hauler picks up | Membership | 24/7 key card entry for trucks |
| Prosper House Kitchen | 111 New St Decatur 30030 | 30 gal | Free with rent | No | Good for Eastside routes |
Turning Commissary Space into Pickup Hubs
If you park nightly at a shared kitchen, add your truck to our service manifest so we can empty both the trap and the onboard tote in one stop. Grease Connections lets vendors scan a barcode on the truck’s tank; drivers auto attach it to the commissary’s paperwork. We file Fulton permits on your behalf and confirms pickup in 15 minutes via SMS. We schedule micro routes for trucks under 75 gallons, ideal for smaller fryers.
Spill Proofing a Moving Kitchen
Grease Connections advises a DOT rated 30 gal double walled tote secured to the truck frame; one Atlanta operator paid $700 for a rookie spill because a plastic drum slid. Always cool oil below 120 °F and cap vents; hot slosh expands and leaks mid route. We recommend absorbent pads under the tote and a labelled spill kit within arm’s reach. Follow the “two person pour” driver stabilizes, cook releases valve to avoid sudden weight shift on corners.
Who Picks Up, What They Pay
| Hauler | Min Volume | Rebate Range* | Contact | Unique Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grease Connections | 55 gal | $0.33 to 0.42 / lb | 7702844646 | Same day dispatch |
| DAR PRO Solutions | 100 gal | Bid pricing | 8886972320 | Tank & trap bundle |
| Premier Grease | Any | Revenue share | Web chat | 24/7 emergency pump outs |
Grease into Gas Money
Atlanta food trucks feed more than customers: used oil powers MARTA buses through a biodiesel revenue sharing program that earned $450k in 2023. Every 100 gallons you recycle offsets 1 ton of CO₂ and can cut your diesel bill when you redeem credits at select I 75 Green Corridor stations. Emory’s campus has shown recycled oil shuttles run 20 percent biodiesel with no performance loss proof your waste has wheels.
What Happens If You Dump?
Grease Connections cites real inspections where trucks without manifests were tagged, towed, and fined on the spot. Fulton County levies daily penalties plus plumbing repair cost recovery; one salon paid for a creek spill after grease backed up from a shared line. Repeat violators risk permit suspension under State Rule 391 3 6 .24, effectively grounding the truck. News of the 2024 Lake Allatoona spill spurred public reporting apps customers now photograph illegal dumps, turning bad disposal into viral brand damage quicker than any health score.
Quick Fire FAQ
- Do I need a grease trap on board? Yes, if you fry; otherwise show proof your tote goes to a permitted tank.
- Can I solidify oil with powder and trash it? Legal only under one gallon per load and must be landfill approved absorbent.
- How soon after filtering can I transport? When oil cools below 120 °F to avoid expansion leaks.
Shift Change Checklist
- Strain, cool, and funnel oil into secured tote (log gallons).
- Snap a manifest photo and upload to cloud folder.
- Inspect spill kit and absorbents; replace if used.
- Confirm next drop off slot or pickup window.
- Sign electronic grease log before engine start.
- Five steps, ten minutes no fines, clean pipes, extra cash.
