Athens Now Archives

Let’s Talk Turkey – Clean & Green

11-1-2013 3-15-11 PMHow do you cook your Thanksgiving turkey? Some like it grilled, others will deep fry it in peanut oil. I prefer mine stuffed and baked in the oven.

However you choose to cook yours, there will be more than 45 million others in the United States cooking a turkey along with you.

Turkey and all the trimmings are a national favorite at this time of the year, and again at Christmas. When our plates are clean and the leftovers stored, there will be a lot of fats and grease to be handled.

11-1-2013 3-15-32 PMPhoto by Elise Bauer of SimplyRecipes.com

When cooking oils, fats and grease are poured down kitchen drains, it cools and becomes a very sticky layer on sewer pipes. This sticky mess then attracts and holds other food particles and debris that goes through the drains, resulting in a clog. The Athens Wastewater Department spends tens of thousands of dollars removing these clogs and the cost is passed on in customer bills paid by you and me!
The Wastewater Department in cooperation with Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful developed the FOG (Fats, Oils, and Grease) Collection and Recycling program just over one year ago. FOG collection containers are available free of charge to Athens and Limestone County residents. Just pick one up from the white FOG cages at the following locations:

  • Athens-Limestone Recycling Center (15896 Lucas Ferry Rd.)
  • KALB Office (125 East St.)
  • Utility Building (1806 Wilkinson St.)
  • Various apartment complexes in Athens (check with apartment management)

Once the container is full, return it to the bottom shelf of any of the collection cages.

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11-1-2013 3-15-57 PMThe fats, oils, and grease are then sold to Mr. Sweeny, a Limestone County farmer, who turns it into biodiesel fuel for his farm equipment, thus keeping the entire recycling process right here in our community.

Pick up your FOG container now so you have it ready for your holiday cooking — then continue to keep fats out of the sewer lines by using the program year around!
Call or email KALB for more information about this or other programs.
By: Lynne Hart

11-1-2013 3-15-45 PM