Why do food trucks need a grease disposal plan in New Jersey?

New Jersey labels spent fryer oil as 'food waste' and regulates it alongside FOG (fats, oils, grease). Spills on dunes or boardwalks can trigger local fines of $1,000+ under city FOG ordinances. Even pop-up trucks must log disposal volumes and keep receipts, as inspectors can ask for records at any stop. A documented plan protects your brand and keeps rebate cash flowing.

What are the key New Jersey regulations for mobile kitchen grease disposal?

Mobile kitchens fall under N.J.A.C. 8:24 (Sanitary Code) and must dispose of FOG 'through an approved system.' DEP's food waste law adds recycling mandates once totals exceed 52 tons per year (about 275 gallons/week of fryer oil). Local fire officials require hood suppression tags current within six months. Inspectors ask: Where's your container? Who pumps it? Where are the tickets?

How do I choose the right grease container size for my food truck?

Container size depends on weekly oil output: ≤20 gallons needs a 55-gallon drum with lock ring (24" diameter, on-call pickup); 21-60 gallons uses a 70-gallon wheeled caddy (30"×30", bi-weekly pickup); 61-120 gallons requires a 140-gallon steel tank (48"×36", weekly pickup); 120+ gallons needs a 300-gallon low boy on casters (72"×48", twice weekly pickup).

How does on-site pump service work for food trucks?

Pump trucks carry heated hoses that vacuum 600 gallons in under 10 minutes, preventing hand-pour spills. Drivers scan container barcodes, weigh loads, and email DEP-accepted manifests before leaving, satisfying the 'generator responsibility' clause in NJ used oil regulations. Grease Connections offers a 15-minute punctuality credit - if they're late, your next pickup is free.

What are the requirements for temporary events and boardwalk festivals?

Ocean County requires disposal plans at least 5 days before fairs open. Seaside Heights bans waste transfer directly on public beaches/boardwalks - oil must be wheeled to service roads or commissary zones 250+ feet away. Division of Fire Safety requires separate one-day cooking vendor permits via RIMS for each festival. A Sunday pump-out with DEP-licensed haulers satisfies all three requirements.

What's the proper workflow for festival day grease disposal?

1) Cool & Cap: Drop fryer temp to 120°F, drain into stainless stock pot with lid (prevents flash steam). 2) Wheel & Seal: Move oil to caddy, lock lid, snap tamper tag from hauler. 3) Scan & Pump: Driver scans tag, vacuums oil, uploads manifest. The whole process takes under 15 minutes, allowing reopening before lunch rush.

Do food trucks need grease traps inside the vehicle?

No, New Jersey focuses on exterior storage and proper disposal manifests for mobile units rather than requiring internal grease traps. The emphasis is on documented collection and recycling through approved systems with proper manifests and licensed haulers.

Can small amounts of oil be poured down commissary sinks?

Only if the sink feeds a code-sized interceptor and you log each gallon disposed. Most commissaries have specific protocols for grease disposal that must be followed, and documentation is required for all amounts disposed through their systems.

What happens if an event blocks pump trucks from accessing my food truck?

Schedule an early morning pull before the event starts or use the commissary container for temporary storage. Inspectors accept either method as long as proper paperwork and manifests are maintained. The key is having a documented disposal plan that works within event constraints.

What container requirements must food trucks meet in New Jersey?

Grease containers must close tight and meet local fire codes. East Rutherford fire rules reject any vessel that can tip or splatter. Containers need proper lock rings, tamper tags, and must be positioned to prevent spills during transport. Different municipalities may have specific requirements, so check local ordinances.

Shore Season Food Truck Grease Guide

Q: What commissary requirements apply to New Jersey food trucks?

NJ trucks must list a licensed commissary on permit applications for off-site cleaning and oil transfer when events ban pump trucks. Many shore towns require proof the commissary has a grease interceptor sized per local code (1 lb of grease per 1.5 GPM flow in Jersey City). Keep a signed letter from commissary management plus quarterly pump-out slips to satisfy inspectors.

Why A Grease Plan Matters Before You Hit The Shore

A single basket of fries leaves a slick of spent oil that New Jersey labels “food waste” and regulates alongside fats, oils, and grease (FOG). Spills on a dune or boardwalk can trigger local fines of $1,000 or more under city FOG ordinances. Even pop up trucks must log disposal volumes and keep receipts, because inspectors can ask for records at any stop. A documented plan container, pickup schedule, and commissary fallback turns those rules into routine, protects your brand, and keeps rebate cash flowing.

NJ Health & Environmental Rules Plain English Snapshot

Mobile kitchens fall under N.J.A.C. 8:24 (Sanitary Code) and must dispose of FOG “through an approved system.” The DEP’s food waste law adds recycling mandates once totals top 52 tons a year about 275 gal/week of fryer oil. Local fire officials also require hood suppression tags current within six months when grease laden vapors are produced. In practice, inspectors ask three things: Where’s your container? Who pumps it? Where are the tickets? Have those answers ready in printed or digital form.

Commissary & FOG Interceptor Basics for Mobile Kitchens

New Jersey trucks must list a licensed commissary on permit apps so cleaning and oil transfer can occur off site when events ban pump trucks. Many shore towns demand proof the commissary has a grease interceptor sized per local code 1 lb of grease per 1.5 GPM flow in Jersey City, for example. Keep a signed letter from the commissary manager plus quarterly pump out slips; they satisfy both health and fire inspectors at pop ups.

Pick the Right Grease Container for Trailers

Fryer Oil Output (gal/week)	Recommended Container	Typical Footprint	Pickup Interval
≤ 20	55 gal drum with lock ring	24″ Ø	On call
21 to 60	70 gal wheeled caddy	30″ × 30″	Bi weekly
61 to 120	140 gal steel tank w/ lid	48″ × 36″	Weekly
120 +	300 gal low boy on casters	72″ × 48″	Twice/week

Grease containers must close tight; East Rutherford fire rules reject any vessel that can tip or splatter. Grease Connections delivers the size you pick within 48 hours anywhere from Cape May to Hoboken and swaps it if your volume jumps.

How On Site Pump Service Trucks Work

Pump trucks carry heated hoses that vacuum 600 gal in under ten minutes, preventing hand pour spills. Drivers scan your container barcode, weigh the load, and email a DEP accepted manifest before they leave, which satisfies the “generator responsibility” clause in NJ used oil regulations. Miss a scheduled stop? Grease Connections’ 15 minute punctuality credit means we will add a few extra cents to your rebate, so busy boardwalk lines stay moving.

Temporary Events & Boardwalk Festivals Weekend Speed Compliance

Ocean County’s 2024 temp event packet asks every vendor to show a disposal plan at least five days before the fair opens. Seaside Heights bans any waste transfer directly on the public beach or boardwalk; you must wheel the oil to a service road or commissary zone 250 ft away. The Division of Fire Safety requires a separate one day cooking vendor permit issued online via RIMS for each festival. Booking a Sunday pump out with a DEP licensed hauler satisfies all three rules in one step.

Festival Day Workflow From Hot Fryer to Safe Recycling

Cool & Cap: Drop fryer temp to 120 °F, then drain into a stainless stock pot with lid. Cooling prevents flash steam when you pour.
Wheel & Seal: Move oil to the caddy, lock the lid, and snap the tamper tag supplied by the hauler.
Scan & Pump: Driver scans the tag, vacuums, and uploads the manifest creating the record inspectors want.

The whole loop clocks under 15 minutes, so you reopen before the lunch rush.

Jersey Shore City Snapshot Service Links for Fast Permitting

Grease Connections maintains same day pickup teams in city + fryer oil recycling hubs like Asbury Park fryer oil recycling and Atlantic City fryer oil recycling.

Where Your Oil Goes The Circular Shore Economy

After pickup, oil is filtered, tested for water, and shipped to certified biodiesel plants diverting FOG from sewers and offsetting diesel emissions. DEP’s food waste law counts this recycling toward any municipal diversion targets, so towns welcome compliant vendors. That eco story also boosts festival bids; organizers love showcasing closed loop stats in their sustainability reports.

Quick Answer FAQ

Do I need a grease trap inside the truck? No, NJ focuses on exterior storage and proper disposal manifests for mobile units.
Can I pour small amounts down the commissary sink? Only if the sink feeds a code sized interceptor and you log each gallon.
What if my event blocks pump trucks? Schedule an early morning pull or use the commissary container; inspectors accept either with paperwork.

Next Step

Grease Connections advises every seasonal truck to book a free container survey and receive a written oil disposal plan before filing any 2025 event permits.