Why Do Restaurants Need Special Trade Waste Systems?

If you run a restaurant, then it's important for you to have a special trade waste system so that you can deal with all of the wastewater that is generated within your commercial kitchen and elsewhere in your restaurant. You might be curious about why your business needs a special trade waste system when so many other types of businesses don't need these systems. These are a few reasons why.

There Are Often Food Particles in the Water

First of all, it is a good idea for your restaurant's plumbing and for other reasons to make sure that your dishes are scraped well before they are rinsed or washed. However, even if you do this, you have to worry about food particles finding their way into the sinks and dishwashing equipment within your business. These food particles can contaminate the water and can cause plumbing issues within your business, especially over time. Therefore, using a trade waste system is a good way to make sure that the wastewater from your business that is contaminated with food particles is handled in a proper and responsible manner.

Oil and Grease Can Be a Big Problem

Not only do you have to worry about food particles in the wastewater from your restaurant, but you also have to worry about oil and grease. Of course, it's important to make sure that cooking oil is not poured down your kitchen sinks, but even if you are careful about this, remnants of oil from pots and pans and other equipment or from plates and silverware can really add up. This oil and grease can be bad for the environment and can cause serious issues with your plumbing, but by using a grease trap system and a proper trade waste system, you should be able to manage the oil and grease in a proper manner.

Restaurants Often Have to Follow Special Requirements

As someone who is involved in the restaurant business, you are probably used to having to follow special requirements that other businesses in your area don't have to follow. You have to be more strict about things like sanitation and food handling, for example. In many states and local governments, there are laws that require businesses that prepare and serve food to have a trade waste system in place. It is important to follow all of these special requirements if you want to avoid having problems with running your restaurant in a legal manner.