Grease Trap Cleaning and Fryer Oil Recycling FAQs

As a moderately sized Atlanta-owned and operated company serving the state of Georgia, we are small enough to give your facility the detailed attention it deserves, but big enough to handle the most complex operations. We are Atlanta’s choice for grease trap cleaning and fryer oil recycling services.

From individual “mom and pop” locations, to multi-location franchises, to universities, sports facilities and institutions – we’ve got you covered. 

Join the hundreds of Atlanta food service operations that have already made the wise choice to let Southern Green Industries serve their grease trap, fryer oil and food waste composting needs.

Our “No Contract” policy guarantees we will always provide our environmentally responsible grease trap cleaning and fryer oil recycling services at the best rates with the high quality your operation requires.

No! We can certainly offer a contract if you want a long-term, worry-free solution, but it’s not required. 

We want our customers to work with us because they think our services are the best fit for them and their business. We don’t want customers to stick with us solely because they’re stuck in a contract. 

We’re fairly confident you’ll continue scheduling service from Southern Green Industries even if you don’t have a contract because we simply offer the best recycling services and we always do it in accordance with municipal guidelines. That means we provide all the paperwork you need to protect your business. 

Plus, we do it for a great price thanks to our recycling credits. 

We understand that you don’t necessarily want your grease trap cleaner and fryer oil recycler cleaning your facility’s grease traps in the middle of your lunch rush or when it’s inconvenient for you. Southern Green Industries will schedule service around your business’s hours to minimize the impact on your operations. 

Get in touch with our team to discuss scheduling availability. 

Yes – we’re committed to being the greenest oil recycling company available in the Atlanta metro area. By running our own oil recycling facility, we can ensure all recycling and disposal is done the right way, plus our clients don’t have to pay any third-party fees for recycling separate from their grease trap or fryer oil pickup and cleaning. 

Our fleet of vehicles, including the passenger cars our sales reps use, have been modified to biodiesel so they can all run on the oil we recycle. We are even vertically integrated with our own water treatment plant and composting solution to ensure we can guarantee that each stage of the process is as environmentally responsible as possible. 

Fats, oils and grease (FOG) are contributing factors to about half of the clogs in Atlanta’s wastewater collection system. Grease trap and oil regulations are intended to keep FOG out of the city’s wastewater system to prevent costly and messy blockages, overflows and breakages caused by or contributed to by grease and food service waste.

There are two compliance risks for many of our customers – failing to get their grease trap cleaned regularly in accordance with local requirements and failing to work with a grease trap cleaner or fryer oil recycler that follows the rules to dispose of waste responsibly. 

Southern Green Industries offers a 100 percent compliance guarantee. We do it all so we can ensure everything is always done properly and by the books. 

We’re proud to be the greenest grease trap cleaner and fryer oil recycler in the Atlanta metro area.

Most food service businesses in metro Atlanta need under-sink grease traps serviced at least every 14 days and outdoor grease interceptors serviced at least every 90 days. However, businesses must also comply with the 25% Rule, meaning the combined volume of grease and solids cannot exceed 25% of the unit's capacity. High-volume kitchens often require more frequent cleaning than the minimum schedule required by local regulations.

The 25% Rule states that a grease trap should be cleaned when fats, oils, grease and solids occupy 25% of the interceptor's capacity. Once accumulation reaches that level, the system may lose efficiency and allow more FOG to move downstream. If the unit is inspected while over the 25% threshold, the business may also face citations, fines or required corrective action.

A failed inspection may result in corrective action requirements, re-inspections, fines or other enforcement measures. Addressing deficiencies quickly and maintaining proper records can help resolve compliance issues.

Businesses should keep service manifests, pumping records, invoices, inspection reports and maintenance logs. Having these documents readily available helps demonstrate compliance during inspections.

Southern Green Industries provides manifests in multiple formats and can help forward required documentation to the appropriate authorities, making records easier to organize, access and maintain.

Frequent odors, slow drains, backups or excessive grease buildup are often signs that your interceptor needs more frequent service. Changes in menu offerings or customer volume may also require schedule adjustments.

Yes. Emergency grease trap and interceptor cleaning services can help address unexpected backups, overflows and other urgent FOG issues that could disrupt your business operations.

Before switching providers, request copies of all recent service manifests, pumping records and compliance documents from your current grease trap cleaning company. Schedule service with your new provider before ending service with your current one so there is no missed pump-out or documentation gap. Maintaining continuous service and complete records helps protect your business during inspections.

Yes. Used cooking oil can be collected and recycled, and many businesses receive compensation based on collection volume and current market conditions. Contact Southern Green Industries to discuss your operation's used cooking oil recycling needs and available collection options.

Using locked collection containers, security cameras, adequate lighting and regular pickup schedules can help reduce the risk of used cooking oil theft.

Absolutely. Southern Green can coordinate service, reporting and billing across multiple locations, making grease management easier for restaurant groups and franchise operators.

In multi-tenant properties, grease-related issues from one business can affect neighboring tenants. If a backup, overflow or citation occurs, property managers, insurers or local authorities may review service records to determine which party was responsible. 

Clear documentation of your maintenance history can help demonstrate that your business maintained its grease system properly if responsibility questions arise.

A quality service provider should completely remove grease, solids and wastewater, inspect the interceptor, provide detailed documentation and communicate any maintenance concerns. Consistent records and proactive recommendations are signs of thorough service.