Top line takeaway
Florida, Georgia, and New Jersey now fine restaurants anywhere from $250 to $10,000 for grease mistakes, while “free” pickup contracts often hide fees that cost an average kitchen $3,200 a year. Month to month service with a licensed, theft proof collection company lets you stay compliant and switch providers the moment quality drops.
The Hidden Cost of Long Grease Contracts
What looks “free” rarely is. After reviewing 47 service agreements, Grease Connections found container rentals, minimum volume penalties, and early exit fees that added $3,200 to one 75 seat restaurant’s bill in a single year. These clauses also lock kitchens into two to three year terms, even when pickups run late or rebates shrink. Month to month agreements avoid those traps and let you renegotiate or walk if service slips.
Flexibility That Safeguards Your Kitchen and Budget
Used cooking oil is valuable; the EPA notes 380 million gallons are recycled annually. When commodity prices swing or fryer output changes, a rigid contract forces you to shoulder higher fees or lost rebates. Flexible service lets you adjust pickup frequency so oil never overflows (a common cause of $250 county fines), stay within Georgia’s 90 day pump out rule, and avoid Florida’s $10,000 violation ceiling.
Decode the Fine Print Before You Sign
| Contract Clause | Why It Matters | Freedom Check |
|---|---|---|
| Container rental | $30 to $60 per month disguised as “equipment fee” | Ask for zero rent tanks. |
| Minimum gallons | Penalties kick in below 40 to 60 gal/mo, doubling cost | Choose volume agnostic service. |
| Auto renew terms | 60 day windows make quitting costly | Insist on month to month. |
| Early exit fee | Up to one year’s pickups due at cancel | Demand “no fault” exit clause. |
Rulebook Reality: Fines & Pump Out Frequency
| State | Fine Range | Mandatory Pump Out | Key Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | Up to $10,000 per offense | 25%/90 day rule common locally | FAC 62 740 |
| Georgia | $230 to $900 county fines; state cap $2,500 per load | 90 days or 25% full | GA Code § 12 15 21 |
| New Jersey | $250 first, $500 repeat | 30 day max or 25% rule | Local FOG bylaws |
Grease Theft Is Real and Rising
A Miami man was arrested on 26 June 2025 siphoning oil from a Naples restaurant tank, a $500 loss for the owner. Similar raids in St. Petersburg netted 150 gallons from two diners, and a tanker truck heist made headlines in Stuart last November. Locked, indoor tanks and quick pickups reduce exposure. Month to month contracts let you upgrade containers or switch providers without penalty if theft keeps occurring.
The Grease Connections Month to Month Promise
Grease Connections offers statewide hubs in Miami, Atlanta, and Carlstadt with licensed drivers and sealed tanks, yet every account remains strictly month to month. There are no container rentals, no minimum volume surcharges, and no exit fees ever. If pickups run late or rebates fall, you cancel with 14 days’ notice. That accountability drives our 96% on time record and keeps more rebate dollars in your pocket.
Seamless Switching: Three Simple Steps
Schedule a compliance audit. We review your current manifests and local codes to confirm exit timing under Florida DEP, Georgia EPD, or NJ DEP rules.
Set your first pickup. Our crew installs a locking, theft proof 70 gallon caddy before the old vendor removes equipment with zero downtime.
Upload records. Digital manifests auto save for three years, satisfying inspectors and avoiding fines up to $10,000.
Next Moves: Keep Your Oil Working for You
Ready for freedom? Call (888) 826-0201 or book a 5 minute consult to see instant rebate projections. If you operate in Miami, Atlanta, or Newark, visit our local pages for service area maps and same week start dates. Because when your contract is flexible, the only thing that locks in is your peace of mind.
Grease Connections advises: trust the leader, not long contracts.
