Grease Reuse in Professional Kitchens: Turning Grease into Value!
Why should we care about kitchen fats?
Every professional kitchen - from restaurants and hotels to canteens and food courts - generates significant amounts of waste fats during cooking. These FOGs (Fats, Oils, and Grease) not only create daily challenges for kitchen operators, but also strain wastewater systems and municipal infrastructure. When FOGs enter the sewer, they can clog pipes, cause blockages, and increase maintenance costs at 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.
Grease reuse starts with proper on-site collection at the source. Devices like ACO Grease Capture separate fats from wastewater right at the source - under the sink or near prep areas. The collected fats are stored in a dedicated container, ensuring minimal water content and high purity, which makes them ideal for downstream processing.
Once collected, the fats can be repurposed in several sustainable and commercially attractive ways:
- 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?
Reusing grease isn't just environmentally responsible - it's a strategic decision that brings measurable benefits for foodservice operators:
✅ 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.
