Grease Reuse: From Waste to Valuable Resource
Why should we care about kitchen fats?
Every professional kitchen — from restaurants to hotels — generates significant amounts of waste fats during cooking. These fats, known as FOG (Fats, Oils, and Grease), pose challenges not only for kitchen operators but also for the environment and municipal infrastructure. When fats enter the sewage system, they can clog pipes, cause blockages, and increase maintenance costs for wastewater treatment plants.
For a long time, fats were simply seen as waste. However, thanks to modern technology — including solutions like ACO Grease Capture — it’s now possible to effectively collect and repurpose them. This process is known as grease reuse.
How does grease reuse work?
Grease reuse starts with proper on-site collection at the source. Devices like ACO Grease Capture separate fats from wastewater right in the kitchen. The collected fats are stored in a dedicated container, from which they can easily be removed for further processing.
Once collected, the fats can be repurposed in several sustainable ways, such as:
- Biodiesel production – Waste fats are processed and transformed into biodiesel, helping reduce CO₂ emissions.
- Energy generation – In some facilities, fats can be used as fuel in combined heat and power (CHP) units.
- Industrial products – Fats can be used to produce soaps, lubricants, and other industrial goods.
Grease reuse is thus a smart solution for a circular economy — saving resources and protecting the environment.
What are the benefits of grease reuse?
Environmental impact
Instead of polluting the sewers, waste fats get a second life, helping protect water resources and reduce carbon footprints.
Lower operating costs
By effectively capturing fats, kitchens can reduce the risk of pipe blockages and avoid costly emergency plumbing repairs.
Potential for additional income
In many regions, companies buy collected fats for processing — turning kitchen waste into valuable material.
ACO Grease Capture 2.0: A compact grease separator with a big impact
The ACO Grease Capture is designed for easy integration in kitchens where space is limited. The unit is compact, easy to maintain, and ensures high-quality grease separation — perfect for operations aiming for grease reuse, profit generation, and compliance with regulations while contributing to sustainability.