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Sustainability in the hospitality industry is no longer just a trend – it’s now a fundamental expectation for how hotels, restaurants, and cafés should operate. Efficient water usage and responsible trade effluent management have become vital not only for cost control but for environmental stewardship. One movement, Unblocktober, plays a crucial role in addressing a widespread issue in hospitality: the build-up of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) in drainage systems.
Why does sustainability in the hospitality sector matter?
Sustainability has taken centre stage across industries, but for the hospitality sector, its importance is especially pronounced. Hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality businesses typically use large amounts of water daily for various purposes – whether it’s maintaining guest facilities, cleaning linens, or operating kitchens. Efficient water management is essential for minimising environmental impact, complying with regulations, and managing costs.
Sustainability practices are becoming an increasingly important evaluation criteria in the hospitality sector. Certifications and ratings from bodies such as EarthCheck, the AA, and Booking.com now consider sustainability as part of their assessment criteria, including water efficiency and waste management. Beyond reducing operational costs, sustainable water practices enhance the environmental profile of hospitality businesses, which is a growing consideration for environmentally-conscious guests.
What is Unblocktober?
Unblocktober is a national movement aimed at improving the health of the UK’s drains, sewers, and watercourses. Launched in 2019, it encourages individuals and businesses to be more mindful of what goes down the drain. This month-long awareness campaign is centred around preventing FOG (fats, oils, and grease), food waste, and plastics from being poured down sinks and flushed into toilets – common culprits of drain blockages and environmental pollution.
The campaign has seen growing support, with over 66,000 participants signing up in 2022. The hospitality industry, where kitchen operations and food preparation are a central part of daily business, is particularly affected by FOG-related issues. By joining Unblocktober, hospitality businesses can contribute to reducing pollution in waterways while minimising the risk of costly blocked drains.
FOG in the hospitality sector
Fats, oils, and grease are by-products of food preparation and cooking, which are prevalent in commercial kitchens. When disposed of improperly, FOG cools and solidifies in pipes, eventually causing blockages known as fatbergs – large accumulations of congealed fat mixed with other waste materials. Fatbergs can block drainage systems, leading to serious and costly plumbing issues.
In addition to drain blockages, improper disposal of FOG has environmental consequences. FOG, combined with plastics and other non-biodegradable waste, can make its way from drainage systems into rivers, oceans, and other watercourses, contributing to plastic pollution in marine environments. According to estimates, approximately 8 million pieces of plastic end up in oceans every day, much of it carried by sewers and drains.
How can hospitality sector businesses participate in Unblocktober?
Participation in Unblocktober is straightforward, and only requires small adjustments to daily routines in commercial kitchens. For the month of October, businesses are encouraged to refrain from pouring or flushing the following items down their drains:
- Cooking oils and fats
- Food scraps, including crumbs
- Any items containing plastic (e.g., wet wipes, face masks, and nappies)
These changes can significantly reduce the risk of drain blockages and limit environmental damage caused by plastic pollution. Educating staff on proper FOG disposal practices is key for hospitality businesses. Regular disposal of FOG in designated containers, instead of sinks, is a practice that not only aligns with the campaign but can be maintained year-round for lasting impact.
Benefits of FOG management in hospitality based businesses
Proper management of FOG and trade effluent is not only beneficial to the environment, but it also helps businesses avoid costly emergency call-outs and repairs caused by blocked drains. In commercial kitchens, regularly cleaning grease traps, properly disposing of food waste, and avoiding plastic waste disposal down the drains are critical steps that can reduce the likelihood of plumbing issues.
Moreover, the Water Industry Act mandates responsible disposal of trade effluent, including FOG. Failure to manage effluent correctly can lead to regulatory fines and additional costs for hospitality businesses. Participating in initiatives like Unblocktober offers an opportunity to raise awareness among staff, improve operational efficiency, and ensure compliance with local regulations.
Sustainability beyond FOG
While FOG management is a key component of sustainability in hospitality, water efficiency plays an equally important role. Hospitality businesses can explore water-saving technologies, such as low-flow faucets, greywater recycling, and rainwater harvesting to further reduce their water consumption. Encouraging guests to reuse towels and linens – already a common practice – can also cut down on water usage in hotels.
Focusing on sustainability in all areas of water use, including FOG management, not only enhances a business’s environmental credentials but also contributes to long-term cost savings.
Improving sustainability within the hospitality sector
As environmental concerns become more pressing, hospitality businesses have a critical role to play in managing resources responsibly. Unblocktober offers a straightforward way for hotels, restaurants, and cafés to reduce their environmental impact, prevent drain blockages, and contribute to the health of the UK’s water systems.
By participating in Unblocktober, hospitality businesses can take a small but significant step toward reducing FOG-related waste, improving operational efficiency, and reinforcing their commitment to sustainability. While October may be the focal point, the habits developed during Unblocktober can be carried forward to create lasting positive change.
For more information about the Unblocktober movement and resources for participating, visit Unblocktober.
