Limerick households urged to keep fats, oils, and greases out of sinks this Christmas

A LIMERICK householders are being urged to avoid festive plumbing disasters by keeping fats, oils and greases out of the sink this Christmas.

Clean Coasts and Uisce Éireann have relaunched their annual Think Before You Pour campaign, warning that leftover fats from roasts, gravies and seasonal dishes can quickly harden in pipes and cause serious blockages at home and across the wastewater network.

The reminder comes as Limerick families prepare for the busiest cooking period of the year, when wastewater crews consistently respond to a spike in avoidable blockages. Organisers say simple habits can dramatically reduce the risk, including allowing fats to cool before collecting them in a container and placing them in the bin.

Scraping plates, wiping pans and using sink strainers can also stop food particles entering drains.This year, Clean Coasts has teamed up with food creators Gina and Karol Daly — The Daly Dish — to highlight how even modern cooking devices can generate more grease than people expect.

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Gina Daly said many people wrongly assume air fryers prevent the problem.“It surprises people how much grease collects at the bottom of the basket after cooking,” she said.

“I always let it cool, wipe it out with kitchen paper and pop the paper in the bin. It only takes a minute, and it helps keep your drains — and Ireland’s drains — FOG-free.”A national Uisce Éireann survey shows improvements in how households dispose of fats, oils and greases (FOGs), with the proportion pouring them down the sink dropping from 44% in 2018 to 36% in 2024.

However, one-third of people still dispose of them incorrectly, contributing to thousands of blockages each year. Younger adults remain the most likely to continue the habit, with 57% of those under 35 admitting they regularly pour FOGs down the drain.

When fats mix with wipes and other waste, they form fatbergs — hardened masses that can block drains, damage infrastructure and lead to sewer overflows.

Uisce Éireann removes thousands of these blockages annually, many linked to FOG build-up.Jonathan Deane, Uisce Éireann’s Wastewater Regional Operations & Maintenance Senior Manager, said Christmas consistently brings an increase in preventable issues.

“Every Christmas, we see a rise in blockages caused by fats, oils and greases entering the wastewater system. We’re appealing to households to take one simple action that protects their home, their community and our environment: keep FOGs out of the sink.”Clean Coasts’ campaign officer, Patrick Cross, said the damage caused by grease is often invisible until it becomes a costly problem.

“By making a small change to how we handle leftover cooking fats this Christmas, we can prevent fatbergs, reduce pollution and keep Ireland’s rivers, beaches and coastal waters clean.

”Clean Coasts works with nearly 2,500 volunteer groups nationwide to protect waterways and coastal environments, and says better disposal habits help support cleaner rivers and seas year-round.Their festive message is simple:Think Before You Pour — don’t make pour decisions. Bin it before you clog it.