Saturday, Oct 11

Welcome to Your Daily Dot where Dot will share tips, advice, and stories on how we can make our world better.

Dear Dot,

I recently read an article about “fatbergs” in our sewers, and I’m afraid I might have been part of the problem. I’m wondering what is the best way to dispose of cooking oil?

– Concerned Cook

Dear Concerned Cook,

The bacon grease jar is a mainstay in my kitchen. I’ve long been a faithful adherent to the practice of collecting oil for fear of blockages in our own plumbing (though I don’t seem to be as concerned about blockages in my arteries). I felt even better about this practice when I heard that this greasy waste, when sent down the sink, can grow into something nightmarish when it reaches the sewer systems (or our septic systems!). Even the name makes me shiver — fatberg. Eek.  

For those who are not yet privy to the horrors of the fatberg, picture a sewer-dwelling iceberg made of oil and grease, globbed together with other items that shouldn’t have been flushed down the toilet. And they are huge! Some stretch beyond 800 feet. Fatbergs can obstruct the sewer system and cost cities millions of dollars to remove. While we sleep soundly above, these bergy behemoths have been wreaking havoc in sewers around the world.

But we have oil disposal options! And an oil-saving superhero!! So please read on.

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And the most shocking part is detergent companies aren't even required to list most of these ingredients.
Which is why thousands of families are ditching traditional detergents and switching to this safer, non-toxic alternative.