HUNDREDS of thousands of litres of fats, oils and grease (Fog) are used every week in this country and they can end up harming the environment and blocking sewers. But instead of pouring fats down the kitchen sink, they can disposed of correctly or collec

HUNDREDS of thousands of litres of fats, oils and grease (Fog) are used every week in this country and they can end up harming the environment and blocking sewers.

But instead of pouring fats down the kitchen sink, they can disposed of correctly or collected and recycled for free.

Anglian Water, which is responsible for the sewerage network in the area, estimates that, at any one time, 10 per cent of its sewer network is clogged with up to 10,000 tonnes of Fog.

And all of this Fog could be put to better use: it could be converted into 10million litres of biodesiel, enough to run 8,000 average family cars for a year.

The amount of fat produced and used during cooking has tripled since the 1960s.

And the blockages all this fats are causing in the sewers ends up damaging the environment and endangering wildlife.

One simple solution for householders and businesses is to allow fat and grease to solidify in a container and then dispose of it in the bin (or turn it into bird food - see top tip below).

Householders can also take unwanted cooking oils to any of the recycling centres in the district. It then gets taken to a centre at Hockwold near Thetford by Living Fuels where it is purified and converted into clean, renewable energy.

Anglian Water has also teamed up with two manufacturers to provide alternative ways of disposing of this waste.

The first is an organic fat trap - a pouch which soaks up fat and oil after cooking. These are available to buy at www.fattrap.net.

There is also the Less Mess Fat Trap. Fats and oils are poured into the sealable tub and, when full, the whole thing can be sealed and thrown in the bin. See www.lessmess.co.uk.

On a larger scale, if you have a business where food is prepared, get in touch with Anglian Water as the firm may be able to help with regular, free Fog collections from commercial kitchens.

Anglian Water is working with J & H Bunn Limited, one of the region's top biodiesel collection specialists, and can provide free containers which will be taken away and replaced on each collection.

Waste oil and fat is then turned into sustainable biodiesel which is used in commercial vehicles.

INFORMATION: Businesses have a legal requirement to dispose of Fog correctly. You can sign up to the free waste catering oil service by calling 0800 977 7847.

To find out more about avoiding blocked sewers and drains visit www.anglianwater.co.uk