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Improper grease disposal is a significant concern for establishments in the food service industry that use cooking oils in their day-to-day operations. Cooking grease, when not properly disposed of, can cause serious issues, leading to financial and legal problems later down the road. Understanding the legal and financial risks of improper grease disposal is important for restaurants and food service businesses of all sizes.  Why Improper Disposal of Grease Is a Problem Most food service operations that cook or prepare foods on-site use some type of cooking oil. Vegetable-based oils,...

For businesses in the food service industry, grease traps are essential for collecting waste such as used cooking fats, oils, and grease. In other words, all of the gunk produced in food preparation would otherwise cause many different problems if it weren’t collected and managed properly. When grease traps are not properly cleaned and maintained, they create a situation where these fatty substances can find their way into our water systems. This can cause environmental harm, including water pollution.  Properly maintained grease traps are essential to prevent pollution and environmental...

Biofuel is a renewable energy source that is derived from organic materials, more specifically feedstock. Through the biofuel life cycle, the feedstock is transformed into renewable energy capable of powering everything from personal vehicles to large industrial machinery. Biofuel is important in today’s climate when every step to reduce carbon footprints, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and lower fossil fuel dependence are prioritized. Understanding the biofuel life cycle can help all of us better realize the role of biofuel in reducing carbon emissions and promoting a healthier environment.  What Is the...

There are a lot of moving parts to running a small business, with a long list of tasks that need tending to. Environmentally friendly tasks, like recycling used oil, might not be high on the list of priorities. Implementing an effective oil recycling program doesn’t have to create added stress for small businesses. With just a few simple steps, any small business can have a plan in place for effortless, safe, and clean oil recycling.  Benefits of Oil Recycling for Small Businesses There are both environmental and economic benefits of...

Food courts, with multiple eateries clustered together, are major consumers of cooking oil products in the United States. While culinary trends in food courts might not be the same as they were a couple of decades ago, food courts are still often filled with different types of fried delights. With high volumes of food preparation daily, food courts generate a substantial amount of used cooking oil that needs to be disposed of and recycled responsibly. At Northwest Biofuel we recognize that providing food courts with helpful tips and guidance on...

It’s estimated that schools in the U.S. serve lunches to more than 28 million students per day. When we also take into account breakfast meals, after-school and summer meal programs, school meal programs are a major consumer of cooking oils. There’s incredible potential here for schools to utilize used cooking oil disposal to create a more sustainable world for the future and the children they serve. The Importance of Proper Cooking Oil Disposals for Schools  Many states have laws in place that regulate the disposal of cooking oil for commercial...

Biofuel is a renewable energy source that is derived from organic materials, more specifically feedstock. Through the biofuel life cycle, the feedstock is transformed into renewable energy capable of powering everything from personal vehicles to large industrial machinery. Biofuel is important in today’s climate when every step to reduce carbon footprints, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and lower fossil fuel dependence are prioritized. Understanding the biofuel life cycle can help all of us better realize the role of biofuel in reducing carbon emissions and promoting a healthier environment.  What Is the...

There are a lot of moving parts to running a small business, with a long list of tasks that need tending to. Environmentally friendly tasks, like recycling used oil, might not be high on the list of priorities. Implementing an effective oil recycling program doesn’t have to create added stress for small businesses. With just a few simple steps, any small business can have a plan in place for effortless, safe, and clean oil recycling.  Benefits of Oil Recycling for Small Businesses There are both environmental and economic benefits of...

Olympia, Washington, is a city about 100 miles north of Portland, Oregon, and 45 miles southwest of Seattle. Olympia residents received bad news when the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center suspended the used cooking oil collection program. It happened because of the vendor’s new traceability guidelines, which made collection impossible to maintain.  If you’re a resident and plan to throw out your used cooking oil, you need to solidify it with stearic acid or a commercial solidifier like FryAway. Restaurants and professionals in the food service industry or with...

In the Portland area, grease traps and proper grease trap maintenance are a requirement. Any commercial kitchen must have one installed and cleaned regularly. Is that enough or are there other things you can do to manage your kitchen’s waste effectively? Why Is a Grease Trap Important? A grease trap captures food particles and fats, oils, and grease (FOG) to prevent them from getting into the pipes that leave your business and go to the sewers. When too much FOG enters a pipe, it can solidify and cause blockages.  There...