Restaurants and Food Preparation Facilities

Fact Sheet: Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Restaurants and Food Preparation FacilitiesWhen it rains, stormwater picks up trash, chemicals, and materials from food service activities.  Stormwater enters into our drainage system untreated eventually leading to our lakes, rivers, creeks, and streams.

General Information
  • Vacuum or sweep materials
  • Contain wash water and dispose of in sink
  • Do not dispose of wash water in gutters, storm drains or the street
  • Move or cover chemicals or materials to prevent contact with stormwater

Dumpster and Loading Docks
  • Provide trash and recycling receptacles that have lids
  • Keep dumpster lids closed
  • Bag and seal food waste before putting it in the dumpster. Do not place uncontained liquids or leaking containers, or garbage bags into the dumpster

Equipment Cleaning
  • Clean floor mats, filters, and garbage cans in a mop sink or floor drain. Do not wash them in a parking lot, alley, sidewalk, street, gutter or storm drain
  • Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance
  • Never dispose of unused pesticides & fertilizers in the trash
  • Do not blow or rake leaves or grass into the streets, gutters or storm drains 
Spill Cleanup
  • Vacuum or sweep materials
  • Use as little water as possible
  • Keep spills from entering streets, gutters, and storm drains
Grease Handling and Disposal
  • Do not pour fats, oils or grease down the drain
  • Keep sink drain screens in place to catch food waste then dispose of this waste in the trash.
  • Grease traps/interceptors must be pumped out and cleaned on a regular basis by an authorized transporter
  • Keep the area surrounding grease containers clean and free of odor
For additional information on grease handling and disposal contact the Environmental Programs office at (254) 298-5619 or visit the Environmental Programs Page.
Employee Training
  • Train all employees on these proper practices
  • Record training