Legal requirements can be difficult to wrap your head around at times and some seem as if they’re directly working against you. Nonetheless, they must be adhered to otherwise you will face a storm of legal action and could face fines and even prosecution. When running a restaurant or a business that serves hot food, it is a legal requirement to own a grease trap. Not only do these effectively help to manage waste but are required to adhere to numerous laws. Some of these laws and regulations have been in place for more than 20 years and were created to protect staff, customers and the environment. Grease trap laws in the UK are nothing new, but what do these laws mean for food service businesses and how can they adhere to them? Here at Goodflo , we know a thing or two about grease traps and why grease traps are required by law. Understanding the laws is important if you are running a business where grease is a product of the job, additionally, you could install a grease trap in your home if you wanted. In this blog, we will outline the various grease trap UK laws and regulations that mandate why and where a grease trap is needed. What is a grease trap? Before we look at the UK laws, let’s first define what a grease trap is. A grease trap, also known as a grease interceptor, is a solution to prevent blockages and clogs in sewage and water systems caused by FOGs (Fats, Oils, and Grease). Grease traps will efficiently collect the FOGs before they enter a sewage system and store them in a separate container which can then be discarded properly and legally. Are there different types of grease traps? There is a wide selection of grease traps available in the UK that will suit different businesses for different reasons. Grease management for commercial kitchens can be solved by different types of grease traps including: Above-ground grease traps Underground grease traps Grease dosing systems Grease removal units Within each of these types of grease traps, there are different models to choose from and it is important to conduct research and seek advice on which grease trap will work best for you. For more information, you can read our blog on the many benefits and types of grease traps available in the UK. Why are grease traps required by law? The grease trap laws in the UK help protect the environment and public safety if FOGs that are produced in businesses, such as commercial kitchens, are not managed effectively, they will cause drastic issues and problems within the UK sewage and water systems. Here are the legislations and laws businesses must follow relating to the management and disposal of FOGs: Building Act 1984 Established in 1984, section 59 of this law states that local authority requires satisfactory provision for drainage of an existing building by an owner and failure to do so will mean the service of a notice on the owner – one of these provisions can include the installation of a grease trap. Food Safety Act 1990 If you are found to have problems arising from the effect of FOGs on drains, local authorities have the power to inspect premises under the Food Safety Act 1990. If your business is failing to comply with the Food Hygiene Regulations, you could face prosecution or an emergency prohibition order which prevents any trade from taking place on the property – in other words, they will shut your business down. Environmental Protection Act 1990/Environmental Protection Act (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Environmental Protection Act (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 as amended, states that every commercial premise arranging collection and disposal of waste – which includes FOGs – must ensure that the waste is managed correctly from where it is produced to where it is disposed of by a registered waste courier. Additionally, a record must be kept of all collections and the producer of the waste must be satisfied that the waste has been taken to a licensed disposal site. Any environmental inspection agent or local authority can request documentation relating to the registration of waste couriers. If the waste producer can not produce these documents, then they could face a fixed penalty of £300, or face prosecution. Water Industry Act 1991 Under section 111 of the Water Industry Act 1991, it is a criminal offence to discharge any matter into the public sewage system, which could interfere with the free flow of wastewater. Prosecution, imprisonment and substantial fines can result from causing blockages, pollution and flooding with costs incurred to fix the damages. There are several other UK grease trap laws and regulations that businesses need to follow, where you can find all the information here, on our legal compliance page . Grease management solutions with Goodflo It is vital that if your business is producing grease and other FOGs you have a grease trap installed. Fortunately, Goodflo is here to help! We are expert, professional and licensed suppliers and installers of grease traps and other grease management solutions, in addition to providing servicing and maintenance plans to keep your grease traps running for years to come. We are also fully licensed to remove waste that is produced. Contact us for a wide selection of grease traps and grease management solutions for your business. You can call us on 01926 334466 or send us an email at sales@goodflo.com .  

What Is a Grease Trap? A grease trap is a device that captures fats, oils and grease (FOG) from wastewater before it enters the sewer system. They are commonly used in commercial kitchens and food service establishments to prevent FOG from causing blockages and backups or other plumbing issues. Grease trap cleaning works by using gravity to separate FOG from wastewater. The wastewater enters the grease trap, slowing down and allowing FOG to float to the top of the trap. The FOG is then trapped while the wastewater continues to flow out of the trap and into the sewer system. Some kitchen grease traps are manual systems and require regular cleaning, whereas automatic grease traps need less maintenance and biological traps use enzymes to break the FOG down safely and without the use of chemicals. Regardless of which type of grease trap cleaner you install, they will filter out the FOG and other waste items, to keep the plumbing equipment clear and prevent damaging materials from entering the wastewater systems causing damage and health hazards. This blog will examine what grease traps are, and why they’ve become so popular for commercial and food service kitchens. When Was the Grease Trap Invented? You may be surprised to know that there has been evidence found of grease trap installations as far back as the Greek and Roman civilisations. However, the first modern grease traps - that we know today - harken back to the late 19 th century when the first patent was issued to Nathaniel Whiting, in 1884, in the USA. Since this patent was granted, the number of grease traps being installed has grown massively - as the recognition of the damage that can be caused by FOG build-up in the sewer systems has been better understood. In the UK, laws were created around the treatment of wastewater as a clearer understanding emerged of the damage to the environment, as well as the threat to health, that is created by untreated water and the related blockages. The Water Industry Act of 1991 and the Environmental Protection Regulations of 2003 established legislation surrounding the installation of grease trap cleaning and the responsibilities of food service owners. Why Are Grease Traps Necessary? If a cleaning grease trap is not installed where wastewater exits a kitchen or commercial food service outlet, then the FOG enters the wastewater system where it can solidify and lead to blockages or reduced flow in pipes, pumps and other equipment. These blockages can cause costly and time-consuming repairs, as well as health and environmental hazards. They can contaminate waterways, harm aquatic life and cause unpleasant odours. Kitchen grease traps separate the damaging FOG from the water and reduce the need for costly repairs as well as protecting the environment. What Are The Problems of Not Having a Grease Trap Cleaning System? There are a variety of problems that not having a grease trap cleaning system installed will lead to: Clogs and backups – which result in unpleasant smells, slow draining water and in severe cases, wastewater overflows. Plumbing system damage – building up FOG can cause damage to plumbing systems in terms of corrosion, leaks and burst pipes. Health hazards – overflowing wastewater creates unsanitary conditions which can lead to the spread of bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. Environmental damage – wastewater that contains FOG can harm the environment by polluting waterways, contaminating soil and harming aquatic life. Fines and legal action – businesses failing to comply with the legislation to install grease trap cleaning systems find themselves facing legal action, fines and damage to their reputation. What Are the Benefits of Having a Kitchen Grease Trap Installed? The other side of the coin is the many benefits of having a cleaning grease trap system installed: Preventing plumbing system damage – preventing FOGs from entering the plumbing systems prevents the damage that they can cause and the cost of repairing them as well. Improving sanitation - there are no nasty smells or wastewater backups and there will be a vastly reduced risk of hazards to health. Improved efficiency – without any blockages or backups the plumbing systems will work more quickly and efficiently. Saving money – reducing the risks of damage to plumbing systems, minimising the need for maintenance and cleaning as well as removing the potential for lawsuits and fines will all save money long term. Legal compliance – fitting a kitchen grease trap ensures you’re complying with the legal requirements for treating your FOG waste and prevents fines and legal action. Kitchen Grease Traps – the Rise in Popularity Grease trap cleaning has gained in popularity due to increasing awareness of the negative effects of FOG on the environment and plumbing systems. The implementation of legal requirements for food service establishments to manage their FOG also has led to more grease traps being purchased and installed. The benefits of grease traps, beyond their mere compliance, have also begun to be recognised by food service owners in terms of reduced bad smells, more efficient plumbing systems and lower plumbing repair bills. Automatic grease traps are extremely popular as they can remove FOG even more efficiently than traditional grease traps, reducing further the amount of FOG that enters the sewer systems. Automatic grease traps also require much less maintenance than traditional traps which need manual cleaning regularly, and as they are also often more compact than traditional grease traps, they are the perfect solution for businesses with limited space. Goodflo understands the legal requirements of installing grease trap cleaning systems for your food service outlet and our team of experienced engineers is happy to help you find and install the ideal grease trap system for your kitchen and business. With vast experience in the industry and a team of highly-qualified experts, we are confident that we can support your grease trap installation from start to finish. Get in touch today, or email us at sales@goodflo.com to discuss your grease trap cleaning requirements.

Have you been thinking about upgrading or replacing your grease trap? Are you brand new to the food service sector and need to find out what a grease trap is and why they are essential? Goodflo can help. For over 20 years we have been supplying and maintaining cost-effective grease management solutions for kitchens of all sizes. We offer several grease management plans and will supply and install your equipment and service and maintain it. A new grease trap may be purchased for a variety of reasons, such as to replace an old or malfunctioning one, to accommodate an increase in the volume of grease in your wastewater, or to bring your fats, oils, and grease (FOG) compliance up to date. Newer grease traps may also have improved design features or technology that can increase efficiency and reduce maintenance requirements. As a leading grease trap supplier, we are renowned for our end-to-end service. Goodflo has the expertise to manage your system right through from purchase and installation to the maintenance of the equipment and the disposal of waste. With Goodflo, FOG compliance is one more business headache you can hand over to the experts. Do I Need a New Grease Trap? Grease management is a fundamental part of running a modern kitchen and any business cooking hot food is required by law to have a grease trap, sometimes known as a grease separator. Maybe you’re looking to open a new restaurant or food service business or are just keen to modernise and stay up to date with the law. Here are the top reasons that business owners and kitchen managers come to Goodflo for our grease trap services. New Business: Are you new to the industry? The bottom line is that if your business cooks hot meals, you will need a grease trap. Put simply, a grease trap stops fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from entering the sewer system, removing it from kitchen wastewater and allowing the decontaminated water to pass into the sewer. The FOG will be trapped in a box in your kitchen and will need regular cleaning and registered disposal of the waste. Our experts will talk you through these processes and help you find the right solution for your business. Legal Compliance: The law around the disposal of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) is clear – they must not make their way into the sewer system under any circumstances. We’ve collected key parts of the legislation if you want to learn more. There are significant fines and even a risk of prosecution for any business that doesn’t meet this compliance. Grease trap waste is classified as controlled waste by the Environment Agency and can only legally be removed from your site by a registered waste carrier such as Goodflo. We will also manage full environmental and legal compliance documentation on your behalf. (Goodflo Ltd Waste Carriers License: CBDU63089.) Business Growth: If your food service business or restaurant is growing, it may be time to move to a larger underground grease management tank system if space allows. You may even be moving to new, larger premises and need to start over with a new grease trap service. Failing Equipment and Avoiding Downtime: Nothing lasts forever, and eventually your grease management solution will need some serious maintenance or even replacement altogether. Rather than seeing this as an inconvenience and expense, it could instead be a great opportunity to look at new technology and services that will save you time and money in the long run. A broken-down grease trap or indeed a blocked sewer will cause serious repercussions to your kitchen and business, and can easily be avoided with our services. Environmental Concerns: All the waste we collect is reused or recycled – none of it goes to landfill. Certain types of waste can be processed into an environmentally friendly, carbon-neutral diesel alternative, and grease trap waste can even be used to generate green energy. If you would like to learn more about what grease traps do, how they work and why they’re needed, head over to our Knowledge Centre . Easy Grease Management Solutions You can speak to the experts in grease management by calling 01926 334466 . Our end-to-end grease trap service can take a lot of worry off your shoulders, and our friendly team are ready to advise you on your requirements and provide a free, no-obligation quote. You can also email us at sales@goodflo.com if you prefer, or you can fill out our online contact form . With over 20 years of experience in grease management and grease trap services, we look forward to making your FOG obligations easy and stress-free to manage.

The first ever grease trap was patented in 1883/4 by Nathaniel T. Whiting and has become a legal requirement in the UK today for any hot food service provider. According to the Water Industry Act 1991 , Section 111 it is a criminal offence to throw or permit anything to empty into a public sewer that is going to create a blockage or impede the treatment of the water, water flow or its contents. Other legislation, such as the Environmental Protection Act 1990 means that all waste has to be properly disposed of, and, as the Food Safety Act 1990 states that companies must deal with the build-up or blockage caused by fats, oils and greases (FOGs), otherwise it will mean they fail to comply with food hygiene regulations. What is a grease trap? Underground grease traps, or grease interceptors, are an essential part of any food service business’s wastewater management system. These grease traps help to prevent clogs and blockages in the sewerage system caused by FOGs that are deposited down drains when washing dishes or cleaning cooking equipment. The build-up can cause major problems for the entire sewer system as grease and other materials will accumulate over time and form large masses of debris called fatbergs. Grease traps operate by collecting grease and other solid waste before it enters the sewers. The grease is then held in a container while water passes through, allowing only clean water to be discharged into the local sewer systems. The FOG is then disposed of properly and can even be recycled in some instances. Waste from grease traps can be mixed with sawdust, moss or wood chips and used for composting or can be turned into biodiesel. How does a grease trap work? A grease trap is essentially a box into which all wastewater from sinks, pot wash and dishwashers in a hot food providing kitchen empties into. They work on the principle that FOG materials float and other solid particles sink, allowing the baffles to trap these elements so that the remaining wastewater can then flow out into the sewer system to be water treated. Depending on the size of the kitchen and the amount of food being produced daily, and therefore the amount of FOG produced, a kitchen will have one, or several, grease trap units installed, ensuring that between 50% - 90% of FOGs are successfully eliminated. Most traps will need to be cleaned out every 90 days, although depending on how much food is produced by the kitchen and the size of the degreaser, it may be more like every one to two months unless an automatic grease trap is fitted. What types of grease traps are available? There are several different types of grease traps: Grease traps, or separators, literally trap FOG within them and allow the cleaner wastewater to pass through into the sewer. They require a professional service to empty and clean them regularly. A grease trap works well for lower volumes of flow, such as is created by smaller cafes and restaurants. Grease Removal Units (GRU) or grease interceptors, are like the standard grease trap, but they remove the food debris and FOG into external units ready for disposal. These are generally required for larger-scaled establishments, such as top restaurant chains and fast-food outlets, which have a higher volume of flow daily. Dosing Systems introduce a biological element into the treatment of FOG which breaks it down into less harmful products. The Goodflo patented G-Bag grease trap which doesn’t require an electrical supply, manual bailing or suction cleaning and features a unique plastic bag or trap with integrated pipework and baffles which can simply be removed and replaced when required. Some systems are manual, or passive, and require regular cleaning out by a professional service, whereas automatic systems are designed to work to remove the FOG on a predetermined schedule. Grease traps can be located above ground or below, and inside the kitchen or outside the building. Your grease management process will be dependent on what is already installed in your kitchen or the available space for installing new equipment. What are the benefits? To start with, the main benefit is that you will be environmentally and legally compliant. As stated above, there are a lot of legalities surrounding this issue, to prevent the build-up of blockages and the environmental impact these can have. Any hot food-producing kitchen that doesn’t have a grease trapping system is liable to hefty fines and lawsuits. A grease trap for your kitchen will make sure that the public sewerage system next to your company won’t become blocked. A blockage can cause the backing up of wastewater and sewage into your kitchen which is unhygienic and unpleasant and will cause damage as well as downtime, all of which means huge expenses for the business. Without a grease trap, food waste and FOG can consolidate into a solid mass, or even a fatberg, which becomes difficult or nearly impossible to remove or clean properly, thereby causing wastewater to drain more slowly. So, installing an effective grease management system will prevent this situation. Bad smells are also caused by poor grease management. The solid food waste particles and FOG breaks down releasing hydrogen sulphur gas which percolates back into the kitchen making an unpleasant environment for staff and customers. The resulting sulphuric acid will also begin to break down the inside of the tank and mean that an expensive replacement is needed. A system that effectively removes food particles and FOG prevents these damaging issues. Any of the effects listed above - which are likely to result from poor handling of grease and waste management - will ultimately result in downtime for the business as well as large outlays in fixing damage and problems, so the bottom line is that the biggest benefit of an effective grease trap is that it is going to save you money in the long run. Goodflo has been in the business of installing internal and external grease traps for years across the UK, and has the expertise to advise and install the ideal grease trap for your kitchen, during a time that avoids the highest footfall for your food service business. Get in touch today to find out how we can help you find the best grease trap system for your commercial kitchen’s requirements.

Grease traps, also commonly known as grease interceptors, grease separators, and fat traps are devices designed to reduce the fats, oils, and grease (FOGs) entering the sewerage system via drain runs. They are put in place in commercial kitchens or any establishment that cooks hot food. A grease trap is a device that is placed near, or under a commercial kitchen setup. Connecting to the drainage pipework, the grease trap effectively filters the wash-up wastewater from the FOG, containing these contaminants which can be then discarded in the proper manner. Here at Goodflo we have over 20 years of experience supplying grease traps for commercial kitchens across the UK and are here to tell you which type of grease trap would be the perfect choice for your commercial kitchen. Goodflo grease traps for commercial kitchens in the UK So, what type of grease trap should you get? What size should you get? Which one you choose will also come down to how busy your commercial kitchen is. Goodflo offers several different grease trap products. Let’s take a look at them below. G-Bag Grease Trap System SS One of our most popular grease traps, the G-Bag Grease Trap System SS model is the perfect choice for commercial kitchens that serve up to 120 meals per day. The casing is made from premium-grade stainless steel and comes with two G-Bags and appropriate plumbing fixings. This is incredibly easy to install and maintain and with the use of our handy G-Bags , you can empty these with absolutely no contact with the waste, so even the most squeamish of people can use this with ease. Goodflo G-Bag System PE This slightly larger grease trap can also be fitted under or close to most commercial kitchen washing sinks to effectively remove FOGs as well as food particles from daily cleaning and wash-ups. The system put in place can be maintained easily and eliminates the hassle of daily and weekly cleaning or removal of grease trap waste. If your commercial kitchen has one to two commercial sinks, then the high-density polyethylene casing can be placed in the appropriate location. G-Bag Grease Trap + Dosing Package This cost-effective package combines our sophisticated stainless steel grease trap system as well as an automatic dosing pump that is battery-powered, combined with 20 litres of our Grease Dose Premium solution . The battery allows the system to automatically release a dose of our grease solution, which is made up using selected micro-organisms that digest grease, in your commercial kitchen. These are all viable options for grease traps for commercial kitchens but there is another type of grease trap that is external, rather than being by your kitchen set-up. These are known as underground grease traps. Underground grease traps Underground grease traps are designed for external, below-ground, and compact installations which meet UK building regulations. If you run a commercial kitchen with multiple sinks of more than three and have a higher number of meals served per day of up to 250, then an underground grease trap is the more viable option to choose. Goodflo can provide a wide range of underground grease traps which are sized from 150 litres up to 2300 litres for larger operations. Upfront, these are on the more expensive side compared to the grease traps that would be located for indoor use, however, they are the more capable system to effectively stop FOGs and food solids from entering general drainage and sewage systems. The FOGI range offers up to 2600 litre sized tanks which are expertly designed with larger commercial kitchens in mind. They are the optimal choice for other industries including farm shops, leisure centres, hospitals, prisons, hotels, food manufacturing plants, and of course restaurants. Goodflo can provide you with everything you need We specialise in providing you with innovative technologies which utilise clean technology with measures in place that promote a healthy environment. We can deliver to you the type of grease trap for your commercial kitchen that you are looking for. If you need an easy-to-install and use internal grease trap, or one from our range of exterior underground grease traps, we have you covered. If you are looking for a new grease trap for your commercial kitchen or other important products including dosing solutions, removal units or replacement bags, contact us now on 01926 334466      

Premium liquid formulation enzyme and bacteria in a buffer solution for commercial grease management or more commonly  biological grease drain dosing !

Goodflo are supporting both UK water companies and the increasing number of food service establishments (FSE) cope with the challenges they face when served with a grease management enforcement notice.

Weighing in at 130 tonnes (roughly the same weight as 11 double decker buses WOW!), it has congealed in the sewerage system under Whitechapel.

Booming  high street café culture  continues in the UK where we drink around  55 million cups of coffee every day  with 80% of coffee shop visitors doing so at least once a week. Our love affair with caffeine has no signs of ending.

In such a dynamic sector of the UK economy, what are the prospects for new start-up businesses and those in second stage growth?