Tempe is launching a new program for restaurants aimed at easing the headaches of managing grease while bringing the city a step closer toward turning waste grease into renewable energy.
Tempe Grease Cooperative, set to launch in April, is a green partnership between the city and restaurants to better manage fats, oils and grease by collaborating to get better service at a lower cost.
While initial marketing efforts will target the downtown area, restaurants citywide are eligible to participate.
Through the cooperative, the city will collectively purchase grease trap and interceptor services and manage the contracts, leaving one less hassle for busy restaurateurs and benefitting them by lowering costs, improving service, providing quality assurance, eliminating regulatory inspections, preventing plumbing backups, and eliminating grease-related odors.
The cooperative, which officials say will result in more sustainable plumbing and municipal sewer infrastructure, is the first step in the city’s plans to transform collected waste grease into renewable energy.
“It’s great to see the city of Tempe being forward thinking in the area of recycling and the handling of waste grease,” said Julian Wright, owner of two downtown Tempe restaurants, La Bocca Pizzeria & Wine Bar and Canteen Modern Tequila Bar.
“There are many things with energy value right under our noses that are being wasted or underutilized, and it’s great that Tempe is looking for these kinds of opportunities.”
As service rates decrease, with more participating restaurants and based on established discount rates, Tempe plans to pass the savings on to co-op members.
The city will even issue a finder’s fee to members who bring new restaurants to the cooperative. The program is voluntary and restaurants can choose to join or withdraw at any time.
Several downtown restaurants, including Monti’s La Casa Vieja, La Bocca and Canteen, are already on board and eager for the program to start.
“We’re all trying to be a little more green these days,” said Monti’s co-owner Eddie Goitia. “The cooperative will be a good thing for restaurants and our customers, as well as our community and the environment.”
The city will begin enrolling members immediately and plans to roll out the program in April. Tempe will invite grease trap and interceptor service vendors to provide pricing on services that comply with Tempe’s cleaning and maintenance requirements.
The city will establish contracts with those that demonstrate low-cost, high-quality service and offer discounts based on higher levels of participation.
For member restaurants, city staff will replace compliance inspections with visits to ensure they are receiving top-notch service from contracted vendors. If members have problems with service, infrastructure, continuing odors or other challenges, the city will serve as their advocate in getting the issues resolved.
Because the program ensures proper cleaning and better grease management,Tempe expects to see cost savings for sewage collection and treatment system operation. The city plans to measure the savings and issue year-end dividends to co-op members.
Tempe will contact downtown restaurants in the coming months to introduce the program and help them sign up.
For more information or to enroll online, visit www.tempe.gov/grease , call the city’s Environmental Services Section at 480-350-2678 or email grease@tempe.gov .
First of all, go around the house and make a list of every problem, even if it is just a small drip. Having the plumber fix all of these issues during one trip may save you some money with the per trip charge. Also, that drip is costing you money every year.