FEA says members and interested parties should take part in research
survey
Plus FOG to fuel: turning FOG from a nuisance into a revenue source
The foodservice industry knows that
FOG (fats, oils and grease) is a major worry - especially for the water
companies who often have to deal with its impact in the sewer system. Monster fatbergs are a favourite media trope
and hospitality operators have to improve the way they deal with the
issue. As water companies come under
increasing pressure to keep waterways clean and clear, UK Water Industry
Research (UKWIR) is running a project that is looking into a charging system
for foodservice sites, based on the level of FOG and food waste in their
wastewater discharges.
The survey comes at a time when there has been a rise in breaches of the
Water Industry Act 1991 due to a lack of effective grease management
control. These have resulted in fines
ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of pounds for foodservice business
owners.
FEA is asking members and other interested partes to take part in the
survey, which will influence government policy.
It has a deadline of 27th November and can be accessed here. (surveymonkey.com/r/FOGtariffs).
“The move to tighten up FOG control
even further could lead to considerable on-costs for operators who are not
dealing with it effectively,” says Andy Threlfall, FEA’s technical and policy
director. “Whilst many operators already
go to great lengths to clean up their FOG, we have to ensure that the whole
industry gets its act together.”
A major issue with FOG is the cost
of disposal, and the difficulty of finding a carrier who will take it for
reprocessing.
“Equipment manufacturers (many of
whom are FEA members) have developed multiple technologies to help with FOG. It’s not all about adding costs: used cooking
fat is increasingly a resource and a potential revenue stream, as more
companies turn it into biofuel.”
Indeed, one of FEA’s associate
members, Eco Clarity, is now offering an ‘end to end’ solution for FEA members
and their dealers and end users. It
takes all of the waste from grease traps and processes it, turning it into clean
water and biodiesel. The company is currently
establishing a network of processing hubs across the UK.
Recovering and repurposing FOG not
only prevents it from contaminating the sewer system, it also minimises the
amount sent to landfill. At the same
time, effective FOG management
on site can enhance the efficiency of a commercial kitchen, by preventing clogs
and backups in drains and pipes.
FEA has collaborated with a number
of industry partners to create a guide on management of FOG in foodservice
contexts, covering the laws governing the issue, the types of equipment and
solutions available to solve them, and what to do with FOG once it has been
collected. The ‘Foodservice
Fat, Oil and Grease Management Guide’ can be downloaded free of charge from
fea.org.uk, via the ‘Information’ tab.
The UKWIR survey suggests a future where businesses are
financially penalised for poor FOG practice and rewarded for good. “Instead of being a nuisance and a cost, FOG can bring profits to
foodservice businesses,” says Threlfall.
“Turning it into a sustainable, profitable resource will be a major
advance for the industry, helping with the circular economy.
“We need to take FOG seriously, and
we need to do it now.”
FEA’s meeting for FOG members on 7th
November included a tour of the Eco-Clarity processing facility in Hull. The FEA’s FOG product group forum consists of
specialists with expertise in FOG management solutions, covering design, equipment
and services. The group is helping to
shape the future of FOG management. Anyone
interested in joining the group should contact Andy Threlfall via email, andy.threlfall@fea.org.uk.
The Foodservice Equipment Association (FEA)is the independent, authoritative voice of the
foodservice equipment industry, representing
nearly 200 companies who supply, service and maintain all types of commercial
catering equipment - from utensils to full kitchen schemes. For more
information on FEA visit www.fea.org.uk
Press Enquiries:
The Publicity Works: 01263 761000; fea@publicityworks.biz
For more news about FEA visit the press office at www.publicityworks.biz
John Cunningham, FEA chief executive: 020 7793 3030
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