Grease Education

A Few Facts

Fats, oils, and grease from cooking and food all contribute buildup in your pipes and the pipes that run from your house to the City sewer. Fats, oils, and grease are frequently poured down the drain because the warms oils are liquid and can easily be poured. It may not appear to be harmful but as the liquid cools, it solidifies into a hardened mass and causes buildup inside pipes. This buildup restricts flow of sewage and clogs pipes at your residence and in the City system.

Clogs & Back Up

Pouring fats, oils, grease, and food waste down the sink can cause your pipes to clog and eventually back up into your home, harming your pipes and the environment. Dispose of the waste in the trash to avoid this costly damage and help keep your home safe.

Can the Grease! logo

Fats, oils, and grease eventually stick to the sides of the sewer. Over time grease buildup causes blockages of the line. Blockage can mean that sewage backs up into your home, into the street, and perhaps into our streams that lead to the New River. Proper disposal can prevent buildup and help protect the environment.

Cost of Clean Out

There is significant risk of costly damage to the environment due to blockages and overflows. It costs approximately $250 per hour for the city’s ‘jet truck’ to unclog a pipe due to fats, oils, and grease.

Can the Grease

Use a grease can lid and scraper provided by the City. Fill a can with fats, oils, and grease used from cooking and cover the can with the lid for counter storage. Remove the grease can lid before disposing of used grease and place the can in the trash. Pick up your free grease can lid and scraper at the Utility Billing Counter located in City Hall at:
815 New Bridge Street
Jacksonville, NC 28541

Grease Disposal Tips

  • Never pour fats, oils, or grease down the drain, in garbage disposals, or into toilets.
  • Use a paper towel to clean up the excess residue left on the inside of cookware.
  • Scrape all food scraps from trays, plates, pots, pans, utensils, grills, and other cooking surfaces and dispose of in the trash.
  • Avoid using your garbage disposal for food waste.
  • Put fats, oils, and grease in a can, jar, or other container.
  • Throw fats, oils, and grease waste in your residential roll out container.

Contact Information

If you have questions, please call 910 938-5249.