Mansfield collecting used grease, oil

Thanksgiving, with its fried turkeys, buttery foods and gravy, can be hard on pipes and sewer systems. When fats, oils and grease are washed down the drain, they stick to the inside of pipes, hardening and building up until they cause clogs and sewer backups. This can cause sewage to overflow into homes, streets and local waterways. Whether the repairs are in your home or in the street, it can be costly and inconvenient. If the sewer overflows, city crews may have to shut down streets, tying up traffic and increasing expenses for both residents and municipalities.

Instead of washing your grease down the drain, participate in the Holiday Grease Roundup and recycle it for free. The 2024 Holiday Grease Roundup kicks off Monday, Nov. 18, and ends Friday, Jan. 10.

Mansfield, along with other local cities are partnering with the North Texas Municipal Water District, the North Central Texas Council of Governments and the Wastewater and Treatment Education Roundtable to help protect sewer systems and the environment by either providing additional drop-off locations or highlighting their existing services.

The collected cooking oil and grease will be recycled into biodiesel or biogas, which reduces landfill waste and produces an alternative fuel that is clean and green.

Follow the signs on Wisteria Street and drop off your used cooking oil at the collection station located outside the gate by the dumpster. The collection station will be available for oil and grease drop off 24 hours a day at the Environmental Collection Center, 616 S. Wisteria St.

To learn more about this event, and other things that shouldn't go down the drain, visit the Defend Your Drains North Texas website.

Questions? Call 817-728-3610 or email ecc@mansfieldtexas.gov

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