Avoiding Costly Thanksgiving Grease Disposal Disasters

Sonora, CA — Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) warns grease disposal can create costly disasters, turning the Thanksgiving feast from an enjoyable memory into a nightmare.

Sewer blockages can cause backups in homes, resulting in an unpleasant mess that can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to clean up. So as many are preparing the turkey with all the trimmings for the holiday feast, TUD, along with other county wastewater and sanitary agencies, warns the public on how to prevent those potential plumbing and sewer issues and reminds residents how to correctly dispose of fats, oils, and grease with these tips:

• Tuolumne County Solid Waste now offers used cooking oil disposal at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility located in Jamestown. To make an appointment, call (209) 533-5588.
• Avoid pouring fats or vegetable cooking oils down the drain because liquid fats solidify in the pipes and can create clogs.
• After cooking with grease, scrape it into a container with a tight-fitting lid. Allow it to solidify in the refrigerator before disposing of it in the trash.
• Never put hard-to-grind items in your garbage disposal, including poultry skins, eggshells, carrots, celery, pumpkin pulp, banana peels, or pasta.