FOG
MDC & REA
in partnership with
the University of Connecticut
Our Program
Fats, Oils, and Greases (FOG) is becoming an increasing problem for municipalities across the nation. Restaurants, or Food Service Establishments (FSEs) produce FOG during food preparation. If properly managed, this FOG is caught in grease traps.
​
There are environmentally friendly ways to dispose of FOG, and there are easy, but damaging ways to get rid of FOG. Easy but damaging ways consist of throwing it in the trash, where it will end up in a dumpster. Even more damaging, and common, is throwing it down the sink where the grease builds up in the pipes, quickly damaging and breaking the pipes.
​
FOG Management is encouraging effective grease traps, and giving the grease it collects to companies that convert FOG into biofuel. This is a win for the FSEs helping them save money, for the town by not having to replace pipes as often, and for the environment by re-purposing ‘trash’ into fuel that we use everyday.
2012
Biodiesel conversion process patented
2017
UCONN partners with REA & the MDC
2019
FOG Program launch
WE DREAM OF A CLEANER FUTURE
Collect Fat, Oil, and Grease Waste From Restaurants Directly
01
Transforms Waste into Premium Grade Biofuel
02
Our partnership with REA Resource Recovery Systems is working towards collecting grease from compliant restaurants for reuse as biofuel.
Biofuel Used for Municipal Operations in Communities
03
GET THE INFORMATION YOU NEED
Update disposal information for your restaurant.
​
Stay organized on what needs to be done next.
Avoid fines and fees from improper FOG disposal.
​
​
Includes the “Guide to Compliance” and other graphics to educate you on proper compliance with FOG Management.
OUR TEAM
Richard Parnas
REA co-founder
UConn Student
Team
Undergraduate interns
Julia Yakovich
Director of UConn Service Learning
.png)
PARTNERS
Resource Recovery Systems (REA) was our first partner. REA is the first company to invent technology that converts brown grease in addition to yellow grease into high grade biodiesel fuel. They have a patent on this chemical process that has been in effect since 2012. REA has already implemented demonstrations of this process in Danbury and New Haven water treatment facilities, and they are prepared to make this process on a large scale throughout the Greater Hartford Area. The company is founded by the three owners Eric, Richard, and Al. Dr. Richard Parnas. Dr. Richard Parnas is a UConn professor who developed the patented chemical process for converting FOG to premium grade biofuel.
Prior to UConn's involvement, the Metropolitan District of Hartford, Connecticut (MDC) employed a FOG program. In 2017, the MDC approached UConn and REA about making a group that can connect REA’s technology with the FSEs of Hartford, which is how the UConn FOG Management program came to be. The MDC is currently funding us with a $25,000 grant to continue research with student interns and being surveying FSEs. We hope to continue this partnership with them so that they provide funding and insight FSE compliance with proper grease disposal.
The University of Connecticut (UConn) facilitates and enacts our program with the help of our undergraduate student interns. UConn students assist in data collection, processing, programmatic activities, and legislative lobbying.
