As residents prepare for Thanksgiving and the busy fall and winter cooking season, the City of Port Coquitlam is reminding everyone to properly dispose of fats, oils and grease (FOG) to help prevent sewer backups and protect the community’s wastewater system.
When poured down the drain, FOG cools and hardens, clinging to pipe walls and combining with items such as wipes to form large blockages known as “fatbergs.” These blockages can damage both private and City-owned infrastructure, leading to sewer backups, overflows, costly repairs and environmental harm. Even small amounts add up over time, and running hot water or adding dish soap does not stop FOG from hardening further down the pipes.
To keep FOG out of the drain, residents are encouraged to follow three simple steps:
Cool it: Let fats, oils and grease cool and solidify after cooking.
Scrape it: Scrape fats and food scraps into a container, and wipe greasy pots, pans and dishes with a paper towel before washing.
Bin it: Put solidified fats, food scraps and greasy paper towels in the green bin, never down the sink or toilet.
Property owners are responsible for keeping their sewer service connection clear of blockages along its full length, from the building to the City’s sewer main. This includes any portion located on City property or under the boulevard. The exception is a blockage caused by a collapse or structural failure of the service connection outside the property line.
Blocked sewers affect entire neighbourhoods, not just individual households. By keeping FOG out of the drain, residents help protect public infrastructure, prevent costly sewer backups and safeguard local waterways and ecosystems.
Available Resources
Sort & Report app: Look up how to sort household items and check collection dates. Download it free at portcoquitlam.ca/sortreport.
Sort it Right! online search tool: Find out how to dispose of items correctly at portcoquitlam.ca/sortitright.
Sort it Right! Waste Sorting & Services flip guide: Available at City facilities or online at portcoquitlam.ca/sortitright.
Ambassador outreach program: For questions or resources, visit portcoquitlam.ca/ambassadors.
Metro Vancouver Unflushables campaign: Learn more at unflushables.ca.
Metro Vancouver Wipe it, Green Bin it campaign: Learn more at wipeitgreenbinit.ca.
For more tips and information, visit portcoquitlam.ca/fog.
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