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What is the cost to empty a grease trap?

Jul 3rd, 2013
by Service.
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This article will cover the age old question of what is the cost to empty a grease trap. If you ask children what they want to be when they grow up, most of them would answer that they want to become chefs, cooks, food critics, or restaurateurs. The food business is continuously transforming itself into a multi-faceted industry, merging with all other businesses in the world. You can see food being offered even in car shows. It’s not surprising that everyone wants to be part of making people happy with food. Surely there will b more innovative ideas that are based on food technology pretty soon.

But even if the food business is making noise the positive way, it’s also making noise the negative way. The United States is presently experiencing a widespread environmental problem wherein food businesses are among the largest contributors. The FOG (fats, oils, grease) crisis is overwhelming the country and its negative effects are not to be taken lightly. Food establishments are loaded with FOG because food items are made up of plant and animal fat. The waste products from kitchens and food processing plants are naturally saturated with FOG. To stop the FOG crisis from getting to its worst state, a pretreatment or grease ordinance was established for everyone in the food industry to follow.

The ordinance is being strictly implemented to protect the wastewater treatment system, the sewer lines, and the clean water supply in every state. It mandates the owners of these food-based or food-related establishments to have grease traps installed in their businesses. The traps should have permits so that the City Sewer Department could easily inspect them regularly. The owners should also see to it that the grease traps are well-maintained with a regular schedule courtesy of a licensed hauler. But what is the cost to empty a grease trap?

A grease trap’s emptying or pumping out fee depends on the size, accessibility, location, and frequency of use. There are small indoor grease traps that should be emptied basically once a month. This costs from 75 to 150 USD. The larger outdoor, underground grease traps should be emptied on a quarterly basis. This sets you back at least 300 USD.

FOG and solid wastes normally get into the grease trap as the flow rate decreases. The FOG solidifies and floats on the surface of the untreated effluent. The solid wastes sink to the bottom of the trap. The untreated effluent is then clear enough to flow through the sewer pipes straight to the wastewater treatment plant. During a FOG overflow, the FOG hitches a ride with the untreated effluent because the grease trap is already too full to keep all the FOG in. The FOG then solidifies in the pipelines and sticks along the walls. As more and more FOG enters the sewer lines FOG accumulates and eventually blocks the normal passage of the wastewater. Untreated effluent then backs up into the food businesses and contaminates the area and the surrounding environment.

When the untreated effluent reaches the clean water supply, or the bodies of water within the area, respiratory, digestive, systemic, and skin infections often become critical matters. When water systems get contaminated, aquatic life is wiped out and the ecosystem becomes imbalanced. The food business responsible the gets to pay for lawyers that will defend them against environmental lawsuits filed against their companies. They also have to come up with hefty amounts to pay for the fines because they exceeded the set level of FOG in the wastewater.

It’s very expensive to always have the grease trap emptied every week, but this is preferred by food companies rather than the basic monthly pump out. This assures them that they don’t have FOG spilled onto the effluent that exits their vicinity. To lower the costs of maintenance, bacteria should be used to treat the grease trap. The naturally-occurring, chemical-free bacteria are used to consume the solid wastes and FOG that has built up in the trap. If they are used regularly, much too frequent grease trap emptying will be avoided.

Shopping mall grease trap maintenance

Jul 1st, 2013
by Service.
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This article will briefly discuss shopping mall grease trap maintenance and the advantages. Everything needs to be taken care of. Small houses are very easy to maintain but large structures such as shopping malls take teams of professionals to keep it clean and functional. Maintenance of each component in the shopping mall has to be done effectively and with as little cost as possible. When you talk about “cost” it’s not only the money but also the time and the effort in doing the task.

When people look at a mall, they admire its design and size. They compliment the way everything is incorporated. People come in all the time because of the energy, the items, the entertainment, and the food. Every shopping mall needs to have lots of food establishments to make sure that all the customers are happy and satisfied as they stroll along the corridors. But as customers stay and eat, do they ever think of what costs the shopping mall has to consider in maintaining these establishments and the entire mall running?

If food is there, kitchens are there and these are the major contributors to the FOG (fats, oils, grease) problem in the United States. There has to be a more serious method of shopping mall grease trap maintenance because the problems brought about by FOG overflow are not to be taken lightly. When FOG overflows, it mixes with the untreated effluent that travels towards the wastewater treatment facility. The effluent then gets blocked by solidified FOG in the pipes and then backs up into the shopping mall facilities and surrounding areas. Because of this consequence, many people suffer from health problems including respiratory and skin infections. The waterways get contaminated and all aquatic life slowly disappears. Even the clean water deposits become unsafe for use.

The shopping mall administration should make it a point to always remind everyone that there should be proper disposal methods for the grease materials and food scraps everyday. The ones in the kitchens should manually scrape off and collect the food scraps and FOG in receptacles that can be sealed up and disposed of together with regular trash. The drains in their sinks should have food meshes or strainers to catch bits of grease and food, preventing them from reaching the grease trap. 

Shopping mall grease trap maintenance should be done efficiently and regularly so that FOG overflow can be prevented. Members of the maintenance department could take turns in monitoring and inspecting the grease trap. This will make sure that the FOG level doesn’t overflow. Constant monitoring will also enable the management to set up a stable maintenance schedule with the grease trap professionals. 

If there is a best means to maintain shopping mall grease traps, it’s bacteria. There are two processes that involve the use of useful bacteria—bioremediation and  bioaugmentation. Bioremediation uses non-pathogenic bacteria in converting contaminants into less harmful substances while bioaugmentation uses selected strains of bacteria in consuming the contaminants including the FOG. Bacteria are very natural and do not pollute the environment. They are also able to eliminate the foul smells in the grease trap.

Shopping mall grease trap maintenance needs the effort of the management, staff, and even the customers who frequent the place. If the shopping mall management distributes additional trash bins that are exclusive for grease and food scraps, then it would be much easier to segregate the FOG. These trash bins should be placed near food stalls and fast food areas where self-service is the rule.

The FOG crisis will always prove unresolved if the necessary authorities do not do anything about it. The shopping mall is a place where people converge. It’s a perfect venue for change. Using bacteria is one of the major changes in shopping mall grease trap maintenance. It’s far better than using chemicals or enzymes that just make the problem worse. Bioremediation and bioaugmentation are real milestones in the process of shopping mall grease trap maintenance. With these processes, mall authorities will have a much better relationship with Mother Nature.

Food processing plant grease trap cleaner

Jun 27th, 2013
by Service.
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This article will cover food processing plant grease trap cleaner. To maintain a facility’s ideal structure, it has to be cleaned. But the cleaner has to be right for the areas of that particular facility. There are places such as offices and lounges that just need the normal amount of intensive cleansers because they aren’t sterile environments in the sense that people come and go. Other parts of a certain facility may need stronger cleaners because of the required asepsis. Areas like this include the production and quality control and assurance departments. In food processing plants, asepsis is a mandatory practice in almost all areas and departments. This is apparently because of what products are being manufactured—food.

Processed foods need to undergo very strict conditions. The overall safety of the consumers is very much considered when they purchase and consume the food products. These types of food items are pretty much the same as the organic ones. They are only modified more to meet the demands of the consumers.  A perfect example is the typical diabetic. They cannot eat regular ice cream because their blood sugar is going to spike. So there are processed ice cream products that only have natural sweeteners so that diabetic could also enjoy eating ice cream. Hypertensive patients cannot have fried foods all the time because of the cholesterol levels. But because of cholesterol free formulations in canola oils, palm oils, and even corn oils, they could already enjoy fried food even on occasion.

Food processing plants are vital in any society. When they function well, they could really produce quality processed foods that could alleviate the malnutrition problem in the country or anywhere in the world. But because the raw materials in food processing plants come from animals and plants, are rich in FOG (fats, oils, grease), they are included in the biggest contributors to the FOG crisis in the United States. To control the environmental dilemma, the government has passed a grease or pretreatment ordinance that mandates all food processing plants to have grease traps installed in their vicinity to handle the buy products of their processes—the FOG and solid wastes.

According to the pretreatment ordinance, the grease traps should have permits from the City Sewer Department. It should be regularly inspected and maintained. The discharge from the wash area should not exceed the temperature of 130 degrees Fahrenheit because any higher than this would emulsify or melt the FOG.

To help the food processing plant grease trap, there has to be an effective food processing plant grease trap cleaner. Almost immediately, chemicals and enzymes take the floor because of the fact that the grease trap does need heavy duty cleaning. Certain enzymes and chemicals may be very harsh that’s why they are thought of easily stripping away the FOG and solid wastes. This may be true at first glance but the truth is that these substances just emulsify the FOG. As a result, the FOG easily combines with the wastewater. It flows through the pipes and when it cools down, it accumulates and blocks the normal pathway of the effluent directed towards the wastewater treatment facility. The untreated effluent then backs up into the food processing plant and onto the surrounding environment as well. It’s apparent that chemicals and enzymes only aggravate the FOG crisis instead of putting a stop to it.

Bacterial are the best food processing plant grease trap cleaners that could ever be used. This is because bacteria are organic and naturally-occurring. They do not have chemical discharges to pollute the environment. They even eliminate the disarming smells in the grease trap. In bioaugmentation, a selected strain of bacteria is used to digest the solid wastes and the FOG in the grease trap. In bioremediation, non-pathogenic bacteria are used in converting the FOG and solid wastes into less destructive substances.

If a potent and environmentally safe food processing plant grease trap cleaner is an order, bacteria are the best. Just remember to make use of Mother Nature’s best plumbing tools—the primitive yet reliable bacteria.

Shopping mall grease trap reduction

Jun 19th, 2013
by Service.
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This article will cover shopping mall grease trap reduction and the options. The onset of progress and technological developments has brought about many improved facilities and structures that aim to provide comfort and convenience to everyone. In the United States, this is already a regular part of life. In every corner, you will find businesses that aim to give products and services to their clients with as much superlatives that they could give. As much as possible, they have everything in their store so that their clients won’t have to go to another establishment. This business attitude has grown bigger and broader in the form of shopping malls.

Shopping malls are one-stop establishments that have everything that you could possibly want or need. Every floor is lined with stores that cater to every client. There are even pet-friendly shopping malls that allow your pets to stroll around with you. The shopping mall is truly the answer to every busy customer’s prayer. Who would want to drive to another city just to have freshly ground coffee or new tires? No one would spend that much money on gas just to purchase something miles away from his or her home. The shopping mall does have it all including every imaginable form of food that you could think of. And because of the food attraction, there is really a need for shopping mall grease trap reduction.

Every state has a Grease Ordinance that has to be followed by every establishment that produces food. Since a shopping mall has numerous of food establishments, an appropriately sized grease trap is built outside the mall, underground, to accommodate the FOG and solid wastes that they all produce. In shopping mall grease trap reduction, the kitchens of these food establishments are the ones that should make the primary move. They should start a better method of FOG(fats, oils, grease) disposal so that the entire shopping mall could be saved from large fines and environmental lawsuits that concentrate of FOG overflow.

When there is FOG overflow, the untreated wastewater gets laced with FOG. The FOG solidifies in the pipelines and blocks the wastewater flow directed towards the wastewater treatment facility. The wastewater backs up into the shopping mall facilities and onto the surrounding waterways. Health and environmental problems arise and everyone loses. If the kitchens in the shopping mall work together in improving the way they control their solid waste and FOG disposal, there would be less problems or even non-existent problems.

The kitchen staff could improve their disposal methods by manually collecting the FOG and the solid waste particles from food preparation and from used dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment. They should contain them in sealed vessels and dispose of them with the regular trash. Their sinks should also have food meshes or strainers so that the minute food particles and grease will not enter the grease trap anymore. Reminders should also be posted in kitchen workstations to maintain this regular practice.

In shopping mall grease trap reduction, the management should be vigilant. They could even add more trash bins and distribute them all over the shopping mall with labels like “Grease materials” or “FOG bin” so that even those who frequent the mall will be able to participate in shopping mall grease trap reduction. It could really be a huge campaign throughout the mall or the entire state if everyone participates in the task.

Another effective method in shopping mall grease trap reduction is the use of bacteria. When non-pathogenic bacteria are used to convert FOG and contaminants into less harmful forms, the process is bioremediation. When a selected strain of bacteria is used to consume the contaminants and FOG, the process is bioaugmentation. These bacteria break down the FOG and the solid waste particulates. They also eliminate the bad smells. Most states highly recommend the use of bacteria in shopping mall grease trap reduction. With their help, the shopping mall management doesn’t have to deal with environmental lawsuits or large fines due to FOG overflow.

Municipal grease removal

Jun 17th, 2013
by Service.
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This article will cover municipal grease removal. There is always an establishment or a facility that manufactures food anywhere you end up in the United States. These companies are the number one producers of FOG (fats, oils, grease) in the country. With this, every municipality is governed by a grease or pretreatment ordinance that helps in preventing or lessening the amount of FOG being discharged into wastewater. As you may know, food establishments and food processing plants are considered huge contributors to the ongoing FOG crisis in America. If the FOG overflow isn’t controlled, so much damage to health, property, and the environment will persist.

Industries and institutions like food processing plants, meat processing plants, cafeterias, hospitals, and prisons are the largest producers of FOG and are considered the major causes of the FOG crisis in the United States. It’s common for these institutions to maintain the practice of pouring their grease materials down the drain as their method of disposal. This is why the grease trap is very important because normally, it regulates the amount of FOG that enters the wastewater system. If the grease trap is well-maintained, then it will be efficient enough to separate the grease materials and solid waste materials from the untreated effluent. But because of poor monitoring, inspection, and care, FOG overflow happens. In FOG overflow, the FOG combines with the wastewater and travels through the pipelines. They cool down as they travel and eventually solidify. The FOG then sticks to the walls of the pipes and causes blockage. Backing up of the untreated wastewater happens, resulting to major health, environmental, and property problems.

Municipal grease removal has to be performed efficiently so that the FOG won’t affect the smooth flow of the wastewater treatment system. The pipelines are supposed to be blockage-free because the wastewater needs to get to the treatment facility as fast as possible. If FOG gets into the pipes, the holding capacity of the pipe is cut down. There are times when the blockage is so severe that the pipes need to be replaced much sooner than the municipality administrators expected. This severely affects budget and even causes excavations that obstruct normal daily activities.

The grease trap or pretreatment ordinance is a regulation that aims to protect the wastewater treatment facility and the pipelines that lead to it. If the pipelines are protected from FOG accumulation, then wastewater back up is prevented. The ordinance indicates that the food manufacturer or establishment owner should have a grease trap that’s appropriately sized within the premises. This should have a permit and should always be properly maintained. The grease trap or grease interceptor will be inspected regularly by the municipality’s representative. With this ordinance, municipal grease removal has more attention now than ever before. This is a very strict ordinance to implement and follow because of the amount of FOG in the wastewater exceeds the accepted level, large fines will be paid, contamination will occur, and lawsuits will be faced.

Effective municipal grease removal needs the cooperation of the people involved in the food industry. They should make sure that their methods of maintaining their grease traps are indeed effective. There are some who clean up their grease traps once every week. Some do it more than this because they feel that their grease traps are filled too fast. If the establishment or facility owner finds it too taxing or costly to have the grease trap cleaned much too often, it would be more practical to have larger grease trap installed.

If municipal grease removal needs to be performed safely and quickly, then bacteria should be used. Bioremediation and bioaugmentation are the two processes that involve the use of these useful microorganisms. Bioremediation uses non-pathogenic bacteria to convert the FOG and solid wastes into less harmful forms. Bioaugmentation uses a selected strain of bacteria to break down the contaminants and the FOG. Using bacteria will remove the odors and will keep the environment safe from contamination. Bacteria are true helpers since even before the dawn of time.

What is the cost to pump out a grease trap?

Jun 13th, 2013
by Service.
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This article will answer the age old question of what is the cost to pump out a grease trap? Feeding people is a serious business. So much is expected from every food establishment in the country. Each should be able to deliver the best and the freshest foods available. Many businesses these days have food as the main attraction. Food businesses have flourished through the years because of creativity and because of the increasing interest of career people in food.

As the food business grows, the same goes for the amount of FOG (fats, oils, grease) that’s disposed in kitchen drains. The raw materials in making food are animal and vegetable fats. It is only expected that the same will be the by-products. The FOG crisis is overpowering the water systems and the health of the United States. FOG overflow is taking the most out of everyone’s patience, effort, and money because of its undeniable effects. This is why the pretreatment ordinance or the grease ordinance was made.

The United States deems it vital for its environment to be saved from utter destruction. If FOG continues to spill into the wastewater, everything will be compromised. Through the strict implementation of the grease ordinance, all food-based companies and facilities are mandated to have grease traps installed in their premises. The grease traps or grease interceptors are designed and built according to the use of the particular establishment or facility.  The traps should have permits issued by the City Sewer department so that it may also be easy for them to inspect it on a regular basis. The ordinance also mandates the owner of the facility or establishment to regularly pump out and clean the grease trap.

Installed grease traps should be regularly inspected and monitored so that grease and solid materials could be kept at normal levels. There is a set amount of FOG that is permitted to spill over into the wastewater. Once the food establishment goes beyond that level, hefty fines and even lawsuits will come up. When the monitoring brings out a steady schedule of grease trap pump out, it would be easier to set a certain budget for it.

What is the cost to pump out a grease trap? According to grease trap professionals, a small indoor grease trap could set you back between 75 to 150 USD to pump out. A larger grease trap that is 100 gallons and above, installed underground, outside the building, would cost 300 USD or more. The amount really depends on several factors such as size, frequency of use, location, accessibility, and manner of use. It’s already a rule of thumb that a small grease trap should be pumped out on a monthly basis while a much larger grease trap should be pumped out on a quarterly basis.

It isn’t a secret that pumping out needs money. Food businesses aim to cut down on their grease trap maintenance costs because of the present economic condition. Many chemicals and enzymes for grease traps are released in the market. They promise customers that the FOG will surely be eliminated when these substances are applied to the grease trap. Sadly, these are only empty promises because the truth is that the chemicals and enzymes merely emulsify the FOG, making it mix with the wastewater a lot easier. Once the FOG gets into the sewers, the FOG cools down and solidifies. It sticks to the walls of the pipes and blocks the normal flow of the wastewater towards the treatment plant. Sewage backup happens and this results to health and environmental problems that the food establishment has to account for.

The best way to save on pumping out costs and large fines is by using bacteria. These organisms may be primitive but they are indispensable when it comes to getting rid of FOG. They are living entities that consume the FOG and solid wastes. They even get rid of the bad odors and keep the environment pollution-free. The next time bacteria are used to clean up the grease trap and you are asked, “What is the cost to pump out a grease trap?” you can simply say, “Not as expensive as it used to be.”