Food-Related Cleaning
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The byproducts of food-related cleaning can harm the environment if they enter the storm drain system. Food businesses can cause harm by putting food waste in leaky dumpsters, not cleaning up outdoor food or chemical spills, or by washing outdoor spills into the storm drain system. Other routine activities such as cleaning oily vents and operating and maintaining delivery trucks are sources of pollution, unless proper precautions are taken. When it rains, oil and grease not properly disposed of may be washed into the storm drain system. Oil and grease that makes its way into the environment can block oxygen from entering the water. And, toxins found in oven and floor cleaners can, in high concentrations, harm aquatic life.
| Conduct Employee & Client Education | ||
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Employees can help prevent pollution when you include water quality training in employee orientation and reviews. Promote these Best Management Practices (BMPs):
Post BMPs where employees and customers can see them. Showing customers you protect the environment is good public relations. Explain BMPs to other food businesses through your merchant associations or chambers of commerce. Raise employee and customer awareness by stenciling storm drains near the work place using the "Plaque Attack" Campaign. |
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| Cleaning Restaurant Floor Mats, Exhaust Filters, Etc. | ||
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Do not wash restaurant or food industry-related equipment outdoors and allowing washwater
to enter a storm drain. Clean floor mats, filters, etc. inside building with discharge to a sanitary sewer (sink
or floor drain). Cover, repair or replace leaky dumpsters and compactors, and/or drain the pavement beneath them
to the sewer. Rain can wash oil, grease and substances into storm drains. Alternative: Wash greasy equipment such as vents and vehicles in designated wash areas with an appropriate oil/water separator before storing outside. Ensure that designated wash areas are properly connected to the sewer system. |
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| Kitchen Grease - Kitchen Recyclable Oil, Grease and Meat Fat | ||
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Safe oil, grease and meat fat for recycling in tallow bin or other sealed containers.
Never pour into sink, floor drain or storm drain. Do not contaminate recyclable fats with waste grease from an
oil/water interceptor or grease trap. See "Grease" and/or "Tallow" in the yellow pages for a Recycling/Hauling Company. |
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| Kitchen Waste Grease from Interceptor or Trap | ||
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Never dispose of waste grease in the storm drain or storm channel, or into the sanitary sewer system. For waste grease disposal, see "Grease Traps" or "Septic" in the yellow pages. | |
| Toxic Waste Disposal | ||
| Toxic waste includes used cleaners, rags (soaked with solvents, floor cleaners and detergents) and automotive products (such as anti freeze, brake fluid, radiator flush and used batteries). For information about proper disposal of toxic waste, call the Nevada Small Business Development Center, Business Environmental Program at 1-800-882-3233 for free consultation. | ||
| Kitchen Waste Disposal | ||
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Purchase recycled products. By doing so, you help ensure a use for recyclable materials. Recycle the following materials:
Use non-disposable products. Serve food on ceramic dishware rather than paper, plastic or Styrofoam and use cloth napkins rather than paper ones. If you must use disposable products, use paper instead of Styrofoam. Buy the least toxic products available. Look for "nontoxic," "non-petroleum based," "free of ammonia, phosphates, dye or perfume," or "readily biodegradable" on the label. Avoid chlorinated compounds, petroleum distillates, phenols and formaldehyde. Use water-based products. Look for and use "recycled" and "recyclable" containers. For disposal instructions, call the Nevada Small Business Development Center, Business Environmental Program at 1-800-882-3233. |
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| Washing Grocery Carts - With Soap | ||
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Washwater must be captured, filtered for particulates and pumped or drained to the sanitary sewer. | |
| Washdown of Lunch Wagons/Food Carts | ||
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Washwater must be discharged at a commissary equipped to accept and discharge wastewater to the sanitary sewer system. Never discharge any washwater (except melted ice) to gutters or storm drains. Trucks and carts and any equipment should be cleaned on a properly equipped wash pad at the commissary. For a list of licensed commissaries, contact the Clark County Health District. | |
| Washing Grocery Carts - Without Soap | ||
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Washwater must be captured, filtered for particulates and pumped or drained to the
sanitary sewer. If hot water is used, hot/warm water discharge to a storm drain or channel is prohibited. Washwater may be discharged to the storm drain through a filter barrier (e.g., booms) to filter out debris. |
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