Protect your ho-ho-home this Christmas by disposing of oils safely (Picture: Getty Images)
Pouring turkey fat down your drain could cause flooding chaos, experts have warned.
Families have been urged to swap the sink for the bin this year.
If flooding wasn’t reason enough to do so, just wait until you hear about the potential build-up of ‘fatbergs’.
The disgusting mounds of waste – often bound together by liquid such as turkey fat – can block our drains.
‘Fatbergs’ can then lead to sewage flooding homes and streets, as well as wider harm to the environment.
A new national campaign from Water UK is encouraging people to avoid putting any leftover fats, oils or greases down the sink.
Fatbergs – such as this terrifying 40-tonne mass cleared in London – can block pipes and damage homes (Picture: PA)
The warning comes as research shows that 27% of UK adults dispose of their fats down the sink, 22% down the drain and 11% down the toilet.
Sewer blockages cost the UK up to £200 million each year, and more than 3,000 homes are flooded because of them, Water UK said.
Thames Water also shared a warning to customers on Christmas Eve.
It posted on X, formerly Twitter, saying: ‘If you’re hosting over the festive period, remember that leftover oil, gravy, sauces or custard go in your food waste or bin.
‘If they’re rinsed down the sink, they can clog up your pipes and cause a major backup.’
Tips on how to responsibly dispose of fats, oils and grease include:
– Allow them to cool and wipe away with kitchen towel and place in the bin.
– Cooled oils can be poured into a heatproof container, then placed in the bin.
– Pour into a pot and use again to cook another meal.
– Use a sink strainer to catch greasy food scraps.
And South West Water said that last year it dealt with more than 7,000 blocked sewers with over 20% of these caused by fats, oils and greases being poured down drains.
William Davies, communications director at Water UK, said: ‘We all love our Christmas dinner but cooking up that delicious festive feast leaves behind a trail of leftover fat, oil and grease.
‘Amid the yuletide cheer the last thing we want to think about is what should happen to this gloopy mess. But disposing of it down the sink or drain can cause real problems in our sewers, harm wildlife and block the pipes in our homes as well.
‘This festive season why not do your bit to protect your ho, ho home by putting any fats, oils and greases in the bin and not down the sink.’
Oils – such as turkey fat – can have devastating impact on our drains (Picture: Getty Images)
Water minister Robbie Moore added: ‘As millions gather for Christmas meals with family and friends, proper disposal of the fats, oils and greases we use to cook our roast dinners won’t be high on the festive agenda for many – but it is crucial to protect the environment.
‘We know that when oils and fats are put down the sink, they can contribute to build-ups of fatbergs in our sewers, bringing the risk of blocked pipes and sewage spills.
‘To protect our waterways this Christmas and beyond our Plan for Water is delivering more investment, stronger regulation and tougher enforcement in the water sector.’
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Do your bit to protect your ho, ho home by putting any fats, oils and greases in the bin.