The UK water providers’ rules for the disposal of fat, oil, and grease have been criticized by the hospitality industry (FOG).
The European FOG Summit 2022, which brought the water and hospitality sectors together in Liverpool, UK, last month, also emphasized the necessity for the advancement of national standards on grease management equipment.
In three interactive panel discussions, equipment makers and experts in circular and renewable fuels also contributed to the discussion with the goal of creating cooperative and sustainable solutions to keep sewer networks free of FOG.
Since there isn’t an industry standard to lead investment in new systems, Mitchells & Butlers’ director of building maintenance, Jennie Smith, discussed how the pub and restaurant operator has conducted its own trials of grease control technology during the opening panel.
The company, which runs more than 1,600 venues throughout the UK, acted after being charged in 2021 for failing to stop FOG from leaking into the sewers at one of its pubs in Oxfordshire beginning in 2017.
We had some grease removal devices in our estate, but Smith claimed that they were only used in response to problems rather than being installed proactively.
We quickly gained authorization to spend £7 million installing grease removal devices throughout our entire estate as a result of the prosecution.
We discovered that there is no real transparency or norm for what those machines perform or how they operate.
“I required assurance that this product will function as intended and adhere to regulatory requirements before deciding how to invest this sizable sum of money. We conducted our own trial since we were unable to obtain that.
Smith described how the operator has moved forward with the roll-out after testing a variety of equipment from several vendors.
The National Federation of Fish Friers’ president, Andrew Crook, stated: “As a national organization, we want to share best practices with our members, but it is challenging when water company restrictions vary by location.
Although it is a difficult moment for our members, they are looking for solutions, and it is our responsibility to ensure that they make the best decisions.
From a corporate perspective, Sarah Taylor, head of facilities at pub operator Marston’s, discussed the advantages of FOG management: “FOG is really crucial for us to control.
We need to send someone to service the unit more frequently the more drainage-related callouts we receive.
“Everyone is working toward net zero and carbon neutrality, so it regulates that as well by putting vans on the road, which emits CO2.
The recycling of leftover cooking oil also provides a wonderful source of income.
The following panel discussed cross-sector cooperation.
Discussion topics included the function of water sellers and the more focused use of localized data.
Water retailers have a crucial role to play in helping wholesalers target commercial businesses, according to Martin Needham, head of the commercial at Everflow Water.
“We are the conduit between a wholesaler and end user,” he said.
“We can support the wholesaler by making sure we’re finding the problem area and targeting the hospitality sector. We hold that relationship, so we have got to play a part.”
The circular economy can be energized by working together with cross-sector stakeholders, according to Ben Hatfield-Wright, FOG program manager at Anglian Water.
“FOG is a major problem for the water sector,” he declared.
Due to flooding, pollution, and reactive workloads, we are under a great deal of stress.
“I want FSEs [food service establishments] to come along on the journey with us and benefit from the circular economy. That’s the secret to moving tens of thousands of FSEs very quickly to doing the right thing and solving this problem.”
The day’s final seminar focused on the circular economy, net zero, and the potential of FOG as a resource.
The Renewable Transport Fuel Association’s chief executive, Gaynor Hartnell, stated: “Our members genuinely want the yellow and brown grease.
“There is not enough of it around for future transport needs. It will continue to be more and more important. It’s about getting the volumes of this material together, with a hub and spoke model, then getting it to our members to produce renewable fuel.”
According to Lee Dobinson, chief commercial officer at BioteCH4, his company works with major retailers, producers, and local governments to process their fat, oil, and grease to produce biogas.
He said most of the infrastructure needed to process FOG from FSEs was already available: “The solutions seem clear, everyone is on the same track. If you produce FOG, the infrastructure is there to collect and process it. It will need to grow and that will happen over time.”
The Foodservice Equipment Association’s chief executive, Keith Warren, mentioned the upcoming Environment Act 2021 and stated there was a chance to get FOG included in its secondary law.
He said: “As a collective, we need to go to government with our position. Regulation is needed so we all know what we are shooting for in terms of fat oil and grease and its management.”
Assuring attendees that the industry can benefit from FOG, John Williams, senior partner at S’Investec, a private investment firm that specializes in clean tech, biotech, and renewables, said: “You have a good business opportunity, but you need to collaborate and to look at other technologies.
“You are moving from a waste logistics position to a waste refining position, which will valorize this sector, meet carbon targets and create the circular economy that everyone is striving for.”
In addition to providing updates on standardization and insights into FSE training and engagement, panelists at the summit provided case studies of effective customer awareness campaigns and FOG removal programs from water utilities.
Closing the event, United utility wastewater network technical manager Tony Griffiths thanked delegates, partners and supporters, and said: “There’s been a call for clarity. We absolutely need to work in unity.
“We are all responsible for tackling the FOG issue, so let’s move forward as a collective.”
The United Utilities, Southern Water, and Titanic Hotel at Stanley Dock, Liverpool, hosted the European FOG Summit 2022 on October 19.
Source: European FOG summit
