From the Green City Email Newsletter, December 2009:
Recycle your Christmas tree! December 26 – January 15
For More Information Contact the Allen County Solid Waste Management District at 449-7878 or www.acwastewatcher.org
Drop-off Locations in the Fort Wayne Area:
*** Allen County Highway Garage -2234 Carroll Rd
*** Foster Park West – Soccer Field parking lot W side
*** Foellinger Theatre – back parking lot SW corner
*** McMillen Park – Pool parking lot
*** Shoaff park Conklin Pavilion
Remember: Plastic bags, ornaments and tinsel MUST be removed. Wreaths are NOT accepted.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Fat free is good for sewers, too
From The Green City Newsletter for December 2009:
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Fat Free Sewers
By Fort Wayne City Utilities
The holiday season means that more of us are cooking traditional foods and special treats that may be extra rich and fattening. This may also mean more fats, oils and grease that can eventually make its way down the drain and into a City sewer line. Fort Wayne City Utilities spends an estimated half-million dollars per year to clean grease out of sewer lines and to prevent it from building up, clogging pipes and causing sewer backups.
Grease is a by-product of cooking that comes from meat fats, lard, oil, shortening, food scraps, and even baked goods. When these materials are washed down the sink, the grease sticks on the sides of the sewer pipes – both on private property and in the public sewer system. Over time, grease can build up to the point where it blocks the entire line. Home garbage disposals do not keep grease out of the plumbing system. Products such as detergents that claim to dissolve grease just pass it down the line so that it causes problems elsewhere. And while hot water may appear to make grease go away, it just melts the solids which can harden again when they hit a cold sewer pipe.
Here are some things you can do to help reduce the chances of backups caused by oil and grease buildup in you drain and in public sewers:
* Never pour grease down the drain, into the toilet or into a storm drain.
* For a large amount of oil, pour the cooled liquid into a milk jug. Fill the jug about half full, then add kitty litter to absorb the liquid. Put the lid on the jug and place it in the trash.
* Scrape grease dripping from cooking and food scraps into the trash and wipe greasy dishes and pans with paper towels before washing them. Dispose of the paper toweling in the trash.
* Place baskets or strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids and empty the strainers into the trash.
* Seek out opportunities to share your knowledge with friends and neighbors who may not know about the risks and costs of putting grease down the drain.
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Fat Free Sewers
By Fort Wayne City Utilities
The holiday season means that more of us are cooking traditional foods and special treats that may be extra rich and fattening. This may also mean more fats, oils and grease that can eventually make its way down the drain and into a City sewer line. Fort Wayne City Utilities spends an estimated half-million dollars per year to clean grease out of sewer lines and to prevent it from building up, clogging pipes and causing sewer backups.
Grease is a by-product of cooking that comes from meat fats, lard, oil, shortening, food scraps, and even baked goods. When these materials are washed down the sink, the grease sticks on the sides of the sewer pipes – both on private property and in the public sewer system. Over time, grease can build up to the point where it blocks the entire line. Home garbage disposals do not keep grease out of the plumbing system. Products such as detergents that claim to dissolve grease just pass it down the line so that it causes problems elsewhere. And while hot water may appear to make grease go away, it just melts the solids which can harden again when they hit a cold sewer pipe.
Here are some things you can do to help reduce the chances of backups caused by oil and grease buildup in you drain and in public sewers:
* Never pour grease down the drain, into the toilet or into a storm drain.
* For a large amount of oil, pour the cooled liquid into a milk jug. Fill the jug about half full, then add kitty litter to absorb the liquid. Put the lid on the jug and place it in the trash.
* Scrape grease dripping from cooking and food scraps into the trash and wipe greasy dishes and pans with paper towels before washing them. Dispose of the paper toweling in the trash.
* Place baskets or strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids and empty the strainers into the trash.
* Seek out opportunities to share your knowledge with friends and neighbors who may not know about the risks and costs of putting grease down the drain.
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