Guernsey Water has announced its annual ‘Clean up Christmas’ campaign for the upcoming festive season which first ran in 2019.
The campaign provides practical advice to Islanders on the best ways of disposing of their cooking oils, fats and grease as build ups of these can cause multiple problems for Guernsey’s wastewater network and also increase associated pollution.
Jon Holt, Guernsey Water’s Operations Manager, commented: “Fat, oil and grease disposed of in the sink enters the Island’s wastewater network, which means a build-up of congealing fats within the pipes and pumps, resulting in restricted flows and increased risk of flooding and possible pollution.
“We want to remind everyone during the festive season that there are much better, more responsible, ways to dispose of these by-products from cooking, whilst safeguarding the network as well as your own drains”.
Jon added: “The network includes all the pipes and pumps which remove used water and sewage from all domestic and commercial properties on Island. This is made up of anything that goes down drains or in the toilet. By keeping drains clear we can ensure a better service, reducing the need for repair works, the risk of blockages and floods, and ultimately providing a more efficient service to everyone with fewer disruptions”.
Guernsey Water’s official guidelines and top tips for households include:
Oil in small quantities: Wipe out pans with a small amount of kitchen paper and place in your black food waste caddy; a small amount food contaminated kitchen paper is acceptable in your caddy.
Roasting juices: Carefully pour these into a cup or pot, once solidified and cool, remove them from the pot or cup and place in your black food waste caddy.
Other solid fats: This includes items such as butter, goose or duck fat but no liquid oils or fats. Once cooled and solidified these should be placed in your black food waste caddy. Large quantities of vegetable oil, such as those from deep fat fryers, should be cooled and taken to the Longue Hougue Household Waste and Recycling Centre, where it will be sent to the UK and recycled into biofuel.
For commercial quantities please contact Waste Oil Recycling on 01481 241133 to arrange collection for a small charge.
