Thousands of hotels, restaurants and pubs could be hit with punitive fines as local authorities and water companies crack down on improper disposal of fats, oil and grease (FOG) according to a leading hygiene specialist.

Catering establishments have been hit with fines running into thousands of pounds for improper FOG disposal which has led to blocked drains.

Now cleaning and hygiene specialists Chemex International has developed a hassle free system that will automatically keep drains and pipes clear of FOG blockages.

Bio-GD is an environmentally friendly biological additive that safely digests grease, fats, oils, proteins, starch and cellulose and rapidly turns them into carbon dioxide and water.

Nick Stojic, Operations Director for Chemex International, said: “Blocked drains can be expensive to clear and cause massive disruption to catering operations.

“Unfortunately, they can also lead to fines running into many thousands of pounds if negligence is proven and subsequent bad publicity can cause irreparable damage to reputation.

“Water companies and local authorities across the UK are taking strong action against businesses that transgress the law.

“Waste disposal companies are no longer allowed to dispose of FOG collected from catering premises in landfill sites which is leading to disposal costs from grease traps and blockages becoming more difficult and more expensive.

“Bio-GD provides a safe and inexpensive way of ensuring drains stay grease free. It will automatically digest and degrade fats and grease by dosing pipes and drains with highly effective enzymes preventing blockages caused by fats solidifying or grease traps becoming congested.”

The Problem

Fats, oils and grease (FOG) are found in any catering or food processing location from cooking fried or rich food, cleaning dirty pots and crockery and cleaning down kitchen equipment.

When these are tipped down the waste pipe, they are usually in liquid form. However:

·They coagulate and become solid further down the line when temperatures drop, especially in winter.

·A build-up often causes foul odours and

·They can cause blockages that will cost you money to rectify and, potentially, lose you income and trade.

·Emptying a grease trap is a thankless task and is often put off or totally ignored.

·Water authorities are issuing punitive fines to organisations at the source of the problem (see www.thameswater.com for case studies).

The Law

Systems without a grease trap often have a build up of FOG in low points of the pipe work. This will result in a total blockage unless something is done about it.
There are many pieces of current legislation that affects what you, as commercial premises can put down the drains, and what goes into landfill or for incineration.

·The Water Industry Act of 1991 and the Water Resource Act of 1991 state that you must not introduce any matter into the drain that is likely to affect the free flow of the drain. FOG falls within this definition.

·Since July 2007, waste disposal companies have been unable to dispose of FOG collected from your premises in landfill sites. As a result, disposal of FOG from traps and blockages has become more difficult and much more expensive.

You do not have to install a grease trap. However, if you are not treating your waste effectively, then you are almost certainly breaking the law.

The Solution

Chemex helps you to stay within the law. Using Bio GD on a regular basis ensures conformance to current legislation with a minimum of effort and acts as an insurance against blockages, lost business because of blockages and loss of your organisation’s reputation.

Our full supply and maintenance service gently and effectively treats your grease traps, drains, lines, gulleys, wet wells, treatment systems and septic tanks. This includes the initial drain cleaning using a highly active biological liquid and installation of the automatic dosing unit, together with the ongoing delivery of Bio GD and maintenance of the system.

The cost of the service is based on the number of meals and the type of food served, the length of the drain lines and whether a grease trap is fitted. However, on a standard installation, we expect our solution to cost you less than two pence per meal. This is charged quarterly in advance and the minimum contract period is 2 years. Installation and regular servicing of the system is included.

The Product

Bio GD is an environmentally friendly biological additive in a liquid form. It is a blend of several naturally occurring strains of microbes designed to safely digest grease, fats, oils, proteins, starch and cellulose at an accelerated rate and turn them into harmless CO2 and water.

Bio GD forms a biofilm that releases a continuous and renewable supply of highly active enzymes into the water flow for FOG degradation. This biofilm adheres to the walls of your drainage system and, unlike conventional enzyme systems, is not washed away. It also has a significant resistance to disinfectants and other cleaning fluids.

The Benefits

Bio GD is significantly more effective at maintaining drainage systems than products based on caustics or petroleum distillate. The latter can dissolve grease in pipework, however, all they do is move the grease further down the line, which can cause severe problems in your main sewer system, treatment system and water authority main sewer.
The benefits of using Bio GD include-

Grease related blockages will be dramatically reduced and in most cases eliminated.

The cost of unblocking drains can vary but will range between £200 and £400 for rodding a system.
If negligence is proven, fines from utility companies can run into many thousands of pounds.

Collateral damage to neighbours premises can be huge.

Loss of revenue due to closure can be quantified but quantifying loss of reputation is incalculable.

Significant reduction in drain malodours. These are unpleasant for you, your staff and your customers.

The Bio GD dosing system helps you stay compliant with current drainage legislation.

Bio GD is friendly to the environment.

Reduce grease trap maintenance. Cost reductions of up to 75% are being achieved.

The solution works automatically, which means that nothing is forgotten and you have time to concentrate on running your business.

The Next Step

Chemex offers a free no-obligation survey and report showing how you can benefit from the installation of a Bio GD solution. We look forward to working with you to ensure a cost-effective, consistent, trouble-free, non-touch solution that provides your organisation with the peace of mind that you are meeting your legal and environmental obligations.